This forum contains threads to discuss teams themselves. Anything not technical about the cars, including restructuring, performances etc belongs here.
BMW is probably never coming back to F1. I honestly can't see any other engine manufacturer doing so in the near future. Mclaren themselves has tough decisions to make on its future given an increasing number of countries will ban all ICE sales soon like the UK in 2035.
Probably best not to get into it, but I doubt infrastructure exists or can exist which will allow banning of all ICE sales in 2035. It especially shouldn't concern a supercar manufacturers as they will almost certainly be exempt from any such bans.
Banning sales of ICE does not mean there will be an instant switch to EVs, it will take many years after that, at least 15-20 more years as that´s what current cars last in decent conditions, so the infrastructure can be upgraded progresively during next 3 decades at least. Plenty of time
People underestimate how big of an investment is required to build a competitive power unit in the current formula.
Especially for teams which have never manufactured an engine before.
There is literally no infrastructure in place at McLaren right now that would allow them to build their own engine. Assuming they spend the money to build that infrastructure which would probably take hundreds of millions in its own, they also have to find and hire the best people if they want to be serious about it. Finding the best people is also a big challenge, but let's also assume they manage to do that. Now they would have to start to manufacture an engine, while being 7 years behind any other manufacturer and I am just counting the hybrid era here. Considering that McLaren has never built an engine before the deficit is even bigger.
There is no way in hell they would build a competitive engine in their own for at least 5-6 years. Hell, it took Honda 5 years to build a half decent engine, and they are a fukin huge manufacturer. Perhaps McLaren would need even more time. And mind you that's 5-6 years of painful uncompetitiveness. 5-6 years of lingering in the back, barely making any money, so the cost rises up too.
Definitely not worth for McLaren to go through that. Especially considering the fact that the power unit manufacturers are starting to converge right now and they pretty much even in most areas.
This is spot on. I would say there's more chance of them going with a partnership with the likes of BMW which might involve the next cycle of F1 engines plus the next generation of the McLaren Automotive road car engine - derivatives and technologies could also then be used in BMWs own road cars too.
BMW is probably never coming back to F1. I honestly can't see any other engine manufacturer doing so in the near future. Mclaren themselves has tough decisions to make on its future given an increasing number of countries will ban all ICE sales soon like the UK in 2035.
Never is a long time.
Agree on the 2nd point. Not sure we have 3 more years with the current PU formula.
Last edited by diffuser on 07 Mar 2020, 11:16, edited 1 time in total.
Are Coca Cola really not going to re-sign? I’m a bit disappointed with that, I actually expected an expanded commercial partnership after last season’s performance. Anyway, it’s not impossible they could still sign up, last years deal was announced in Melbourne, if memory serves me correctly.
Q: (Stefano Mancini – La Stampa) Kimi, will you help Vettel to win his championship this year?
Kimi Raikkonen: I can only drive one car, obviously.
@2018 Singapore Grand Prix drivers press conference.
Are Coca Cola really not going to re-sign? I’m a bit disappointed with that, I actually expected an expanded commercial partnership after last season’s performance. Anyway, it’s not impossible they could still sign up, last years deal was announced in Melbourne, if memory serves me correctly.
You are correct, was announced ready for qualifying I believe. I was of the same opinion that I thought they may have renewed too, but guess that’s life.
Does seem a lot of the sponsors recently signed are greater numbers but less money you’d say given their placement on the car. A lot of space left on the side of the card
Also with Sergio Sette Camara gone (not a huge loss...he wasn't very impressive), who is the team's 3rd driver now? Surely not Oliver Turvey? Still Sergey Sirotkin? Fernando?
Just read the interview with Chase Carey about past issues and fixes implemented. And I have to say that I do agree with him and what Liberty has done to F1 is just amazing given the time they had, especially the Drive to survive Netflix series. I now see people on the streets talking about F1 and the show, something not imaginable just a few years ago. I want to see this momentum going and for more seasons of Drive to survive.
Just read the interview with Chase Carey about past issues and fixes implemented. And I have to say that I do agree with him and what Liberty has done to F1 is just amazing given the time they had, especially the Drive to survive Netflix series. I now see people on the streets talking about F1 and the show, something not imaginable just a few years ago. I want to see this momentum going and for more seasons of Drive to survive.
I agree that DTS is a net positive but the "fake" commentary to build the narrative is super annoying and clearly targeted toward a casual viewer and not the hardcore F1 fan. Still, the little behind the scenes footage that was in DTS2 was cool. I can't help wondering if a Mclaren Unboxed style series (more visuals, less talking) entirely dedicated to behind-the-scenes would be much better than the current DTS format.
