F1 Wants to Handicap Cars Next Season

M-Velope · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 12:11 PM

Do to the dominance of Team Ferrari over the past few years,
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says changes might be in store for 2003, after this season has featured 14 wins by Ferrari.

ESPN-
Formula One might finally have had enough of Ferrari's dominance. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says changes might be in store for 2003 after this season has featured 14 wins by Ferrari -- including the recent United States Grand Prix, which was just the latest example of Ferrari toying with the rest of the field. Ecclestone's proposal to add extra weight to the fastest cars is meeting with much resistance, however, from the top teams.

I find the suggestion of adding ballast to anyone's car rather distasteful,'' said BMW Williams technical director Patrick Head. "The idea of handicapping has been mooted on and off over the years. It would certainly change the face of F1 but I am not sure it would make it better or more entertaining.

F1 feels that Ferrari's dominance has cost it ratings and fans.

Full Article:

http://rpm.espn.go.com/rpm/seriesIndex?series=f1

Mikedav · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 12:28 PM

Already been posted, but the fact is many sports have weight penalties for the faster cars (BMW in the BTTC in the nineties had 50KG penalty due to RWD...and they still won everything

) And its no fun right now- why would teams continue if they have no chance? Something has to be done...

Acuraracer · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 12:29 PM

It's a bad idea and will not make much of a difference. Ferrari will continue to win untill the middle of the line teams( Jordan, Sauber) find the right engineers and the money to pay them.

Ballast

eMed_out · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 12:38 PM

I understand why F1 would want to do this kind of thing..but it really wont matter...Ferarri will still be able to win...... yeah most of us are sick n tired of seeing ferarri win..but its not like they didnt earn it....No empire last forever..we already have BMW and Mclaren slowly creaping up..in time the prancing horse is gonna trip n someone else will be there to capitalize on it

stjobs · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 01:05 PM

The weight penalty system has worked well in some Japanese events, but they shouldn't do it to F1! F1 has always been about absolute performance, holding that back with weights goes against the essence of the sport. I like BMW-Williams a lot more than Ferrari, but I respect a (usually) fair victory on the part of the Prancing Horse. Don't worry, BMW-Williams' day will come eventually.

stjobs

onebadm5 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eMed_out
I understand why F1 would want to do this kind of thing..but it really wont matter...Ferarri will still be able to win...... yeah most of us are sick n tired of seeing ferarri win..but its not like they didnt earn it....No empire last forever..we already have BMW and Mclaren slowly creaping up..in time the prancing horse is gonna trip n someone else will be there to capitalize on it

i dont think they'll trip. I think everyone will just have to get better (hopefully schuey will retire after his sixth title next year).

remember that before 2000, ferrari hadnt won a title since '79 with jody scheckter. I remember the heyday, when Mclaren and Williams (both powered by honda), and Renault absolutely MOPPED the floor with Ferrari. Alot of newcomers who know nothing about f1 act as if ferrari is "all that". i say that they are an accomplished and dedicated bunch, and their passion runs deep. But you can't simply ignore history; other constructors have won championships too

edit: i also dont think they should punish ferrari for being better than everyone else: they sure as hell earned it. what they should do is set spending limits. CART chooses to ban Carbon brakes; sure they brake like God's car, but its not terribly competitive. Watch a CART race, like Elkhart, Portland, or Toronto. I'm sure you'll jump up a hell of a lot more than you would during an f1 race. at least they pass each other once in a while. F1 needs to put some of the action back into the driver's hand, not some overbound computerized monstrosity they call a grand prix car.

alen · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 03:13 PM

i agree with some of the comments about imposing penalties on the ferrari car. however, i must say that it is very unfair, especially in this sport, even though those with more money ultimately win.
however, ferrari deservedly won all of its races and if they feel like winning some more, let them be, even if they accept the penalties. despite the decreased ratings, f1 should continue to be one of the most prestigious car races in the world.

Redundant · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2002, 04:10 PM

I would have to say there should be NO penalty on any Ferrari F1 racecar. The reason why F1 is so popular is because they do allow the car manufactors to go to the fullest degree of what there engine and chassis can do. If they put restrictions on the cars it is going to hinder the chances of it being in all out race of the best. F1 should not put a penalty on any car at any time. FIA is the sanctioning body if you dont know.

Redundant