FIA introduces £30m budget cap

[ISLAMATRON]

I find the whole budget cap concept is going to be counterproductive, it will be very difficult to balance the advantages of capped teams with that of non-capped. I think in the end, we'll see everyone going with the cap - the advantages of moveable front AND rear aero, higher revs, AWD, and full-sized wind tunnels again is huge.

And isn't a relatively undeveloped technology like KERS pretty much at odds with cost control measures? I see it as a money pit, really.

That is the point, the FIA wants all teams to become capped.

This may have been the perfect time for McLaren to restart its road car program... they could possibly join the capped teams by moving all the extra personnel that would not fit under the cap to the road car projects.

[Scotracer]

Everyone should get the cap - I want to see these monsters fly

[vall]

DDDs will also stay, they have not changed that part

[vall]

imaging the caped teams coming in March testing 2-3s faster than the un-caped teams What is FIA going to do?

[Shaddock]

I think this is an FIA trap that the teams will walk into. With no rev limit, and an unlimited budget for engine development, the big car manufacturers that sign up are back in the engine development war that used to cost in excess of $400m per team, per year.

This scenario may last for one season to get everybody to sign up to the capped idea, and then the FIA will unify the regs and bring engine budgets and rev limits inside an expanded cap.


One of the big motor companies needs to spend some cash now and buy Cosworth and put these plans to rest for good.

[ISLAMATRON]

Quite possible Shaddock: although are the engines still homologated/frozen/sealed? If so then its just a matter or removing the SECU rev limit... and then the capped teams can choose for themselves how to run the current engines.

I the 8 engine per driver rule still in place? if so then they really cant rev the engines too high for too long.

[Scotracer]

Quite possible Shaddock: although are the engines still homologated/frozen/sealed? If so then its just a matter or removing the SECU rev limit... and then the capped teams can choose for themselves how to run the current engines.

I the 8 engine per driver rule still in place? if so then they really cant rev the engines too high for too long.

Nope. unlimited (well, apart from budget) engines for the non-cap teams.

[TheMinister]

FIA trap or not, I'm very excited by what I've read on the new rules. The much greater degree of technical freedom that the new rules are looking at is exactly what F1 needs to keep it fresh and exciting.

The idea of a two tier race isn't quite so good, but at a glance (admittedly only a glance) the uncapped teams will be handed enough advantages to make them as fast if not faster, so why stay with a massive budget?

Naysayers- just remember the shitstorm over the new rules for this season (ie big front wings, small rear, more mech grip)? A lot of people were whinging, but this season has served us up the most exciting first four races I've ever seen. Change can definitely be a massive force for good.

[xpensive]

When these 2010 rules reminds me of the Norwegian tax-laws, unless they deliberately wish to confuse the average audience for good, there must be room for some Fota-schmota bargaining here, no?

[Scotracer]

When these 2010 rules reminds me of the Norwegian tax-laws, unless they deliberately wish to confuse the average audience for good, there must be room for some Fota-schmota bargaining here, no?

Doesn't it have to be a unanimous internal agreement within the FOTA before anything happens? Williams are happy about the cap so...

[jon-mullen]

I really like this idea on reading it but if they're going to do it they can't keep playing Yahtzee with the rules. The teams can't really tighten their belts and make a budget if they don't know from gp to gp what they'll be allowed to bring or won't be allowed to bring. Their challenge will be finding the best speed/$ ratio which requires focused development that won't be undone all at once if the FIA makes decisions like the mass damper.

They'd have to get everyone on board within a year or two, to avoid having a long string of goofy championships and the broadcasters constantly having to explain what the hell's going on.

If they can keep the cap rules consistent and get everyone on board quickly, I think it'll be a great boon for technical development. Bring back the 6-wheeler!

[ISLAMATRON]

When these 2010 rules reminds me of the Norwegian tax-laws, unless they deliberately wish to confuse the average audience for good, there must be room for some Fota-schmota bargaining here, no?

Doesn't it have to be a unanimous internal agreement within the FOTA before anything happens? Williams are happy about the cap so...

Actually Williams may not be
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74955

[Gonner]

Ferrari hasn't made any comment yet, but I think they'll follow Williams and Whitmarsh.

[ISLAMATRON]

Quite possible Shaddock: although are the engines still homologated/frozen/sealed? If so then its just a matter or removing the SECU rev limit... and then the capped teams can choose for themselves how to run the current engines.

I the 8 engine per driver rule still in place? if so then they really cant rev the engines too high for too long.

Nope. unlimited (well, apart from budget) engines for the non-cap teams.

28.4 a) Each driver may use no more than eight engines during a Championship season. Should a driver use
more than eight engines he will drop ten places on the starting grid at the first Event during which
each additional engine is used.

28.5 Only engines which have been homologated by the FIA in accordance with Appendix 6 may be used at an
Event during the 2008-2012 Championship seasons.

looks like they are still there

Sorry Scotracer, dont think you'll be hearing those 22K RPm too often in 2010



EDIT: oops didnt see this at the bottom of the page

Articles 28.4 and 28.6 will not apply to Cost-Regulated Teams.

So yes as many engines as they want(cost regulated) but they still have to be the sealed/homolagated engines

[nae]

so here you are an engine manufacturer thinking what to do next year
in the first season of the capping years, no budget cap this year so
be as well spend on a few extra revs for next year

budget cap my arse

just displaced spending


me, i will get into watching paint dry, at least the chemical companies have an
actual R&D budget