So, I take it you’ve been keeping up to date with what’s been going on? No, not Jenson winning the world title, Mike took care of that, I mean the off season, that is very nearly as interesting as the recent on-season. Let’s break it down:
1. Toyota have pulled out
2. Bridgestone have pulled out (at the end of next year)
3. Donington have said, “only joking Bernie”
4. Silverstone can’t agree terms with Berine and it’ll mean no more British GP
5. Renault said they’ll pull out
6. Renault said they might pull out
7. All F1 cars next year will be running two-stroke engines
Goodbye?
It’s been a bit full on, hasn’t it? First off, Toyota have pulled out. Not really a surprise, but very sad nevertheless. With the biggest budget in the business, Toyota have failed to win even one race and have performed like Jenson Button with a championship lead. As this team is ultimately run by a Board of Directors and not a bunch of enthusiasts, lack of any success will be a very pressing issue. So, the bottom line is looked at, and the ‘marketing ploy’ is pulled. And that’s it. Very sad and cold.
They are no more. For sure.
And then, over at Renault, it’s all fun and games still! Unlike Toyota, Renault have tasted success in their return to F1, but have pretty much humiliated themselves over the last couple of years. At least the big red can say, “F1 derived technology” and not meaning ‘cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater.’
Renault got away without being thrown out, so to leave F1 at the end of the year is a very bad move, commercially. And they also have the added problem of supplying engines to a rather successful and (in my opinion) 2010 World Champion Sea-Bass Vettel.
These guys shouldn't run an F1 team
In a comical French way, first they were out, then they were in, then they said, “we’ll tell you later!” The smart money’s on Renault continue to supply engines to Red Bull and to sell their team to Dave Richards’ Pro Drive to be re-entered as an Aston Martin…with erm, Renault engines…
Then Bridgestone said that as they had no competition they will be pulling out of F1 at the end of 2010. They are also rumours that they will pull out of the other series that the provide the sole tyre to, MotoGP, a the end of 2011. This , with Toyota and Honda last year is a huge blow by the Japanese giants to F1, they really do need them. Who will replace Bridgestone? Michelin have already said non! But, don’t take their word for it after the Renault debacle! It will probably be a Korean or Chinese firm, but I’d love it to be Avon.
And then, there’s the whole British GP debacle. Concerning a place I have no affection for (Silverstone) and a place I adore (Donny). Poor Simon Gillette of Donington had huge plans for the best circuit in the country and proceeded to dig away, at Mach 3 (sic) but in the end, he couldn’t come up with the money. This allowed Bernie to step in, say nah-nah-nah and take the contract away.
He has offered the terms to Silverstone, knowing they can’t accept them and has his wish: No British Grand Prix. I believe this will be announced tomorrow (Sat 7th Nov).
In/Out/In/Out???
And finally the huge announcement that Formula 1 will be using the old Aprilia 250cc engines that have been made redundant due to MotoGP’s rules changing. Good news for us smelly lovers, isn’t it? (Yeah, ok, I made that one up!)
So, it’s all change next year, less manufacturers, more private teams and less corporate fun. With teams actually run on passion and not spreadsheets, it may be a bit more fun.