Exactly. It's like that with every spec-part (or almost-spec part). Nobody mentions them once they're not a factor, unless it's these two ways: NASCAR's way, hiring commentators that constantly repeat "Four new Goodyears", "new Sunoco fuel", "The #18 M&M's Toyota" (and every other sponsor), or Bridgestone's way of supplying unfit parts, forcing everyone to mention how much trouble the Bridgestones are causing the teams.DaveKillens wrote:I'm sure many are aware that Ferrari provides the powerplant for all the A1GP cars. How many others didn't know that? How many casual race fans are aware of this fact? Most likely a very small percentage. So just where is great publicity and positive fall-out from this situation?
I hold forth this example to display that being an engine provider doesn't make people's tongues wag.
Nobody calls Williams "Williams-Toyota" during races. Or BrawnGP-Mercedes. Engine-suppliers are invisible to all but the most hardcore fans - us. We care that it used by be a dominant TAG-Porsche in the McLarens, and then a dominant Honda in the McLaren. We remember that BrawnGP use a Mercedes engine - but ask ye average F1 watcher in the pub, and he'll have no idea. At best, he'll think they're using Honda engines, if he noticed that BrawnGP is actually HondaGP.
However... Assuming such rules: what's stopping the manufacturers from selling their team to their management? "Scuderia Ferrari F1" could receive engines from the "Motori Ferrari" department. McLaren could still get engines from Mercedes. "Toyota Racing" from "Toyota Motor Company". It won't be directly factory, but it'll be a "satellite" team that still gets them the same amount of exposure a full-time factory team gets. They might even be able to sponsor those teams...
