FORUMula1.com

[deMuRe]

deMuRe the issue here isn't McLaren or the favouritism that Ferrari constantly receive, but these actions that undermine the whole competitive nature of F1. If you and Max had your way, then we'd be better going out to a showroom than expecting competitive racing.

Formula 1 cannot survive without competition.

I aliken Ferrari's situation with the FIA as that of a spiritual number 1 driver within a team.

You could say Ferrari is to the FIA what Lewis Hamilton is to McLaren.

[Martin]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.

Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

I'm sure that F1 would survive without Ferrari as it is my belief that the drivers not the teams are the main attraction. Ferrari only became what it was thanks to shumi. I expect the same for LH

Of course F1 would continue without Ferrari, or any other team for that matter. As 8ball says, the semi fans (i.e.) the bulk of 'fans' who only go for the glamour and the glory and actually know little about the sport, are more intersted in drivers than teams.
If there were a special problem with Ferrari leaving the sport that would be because of the structure of the FIA and its dominance by Ferrari. A properly structured FIA (each team with equal status) would not have this problem. I dont want Ferrari to leave the sport but I do want their arrogant influence reduced.
Martin Brundel should , and it seems is, get a lot of support from the fans.
One feature about all these scandles and FIA nonsense is that it has all been about the egos of Ferrari, McL, and now Renault and the FIA. There has been no account of the fans views. The industry is so inward looking in this resprct that they have forgotten who really matters - its the fans - no fans, no sponsors, - no sponsors = no F1.
As for most 'fans' being for Ferrari ,well as soon as another team wins the championship more than once (and this will happen) those fans will turn up not wearing red but in whatever the colours of the new 'winners' are.

[McLaren Fan]

I aliken Ferrari's situation with the FIA as that of a spiritual number 1 driver within a team.

You could say Ferrari is to the FIA what Lewis Hamilton is to McLaren.

The thing about that, however, is that there are no rules to say how McLaren should or should not run the team, but a governing body is meant to be totally impartial.

[mooker]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.


Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

Stop crying, I know it's upsetting McLaren haven't won anything since 1999 but get over it, if your team doesn't win you don't blame the establishment you endure the lean period and hope for the best next season...

That's a fairly naive veiw IMO. Go back to the mid 90's and Ferrari were nothing and the Williams/McLaren battles were all that F1 needed. The majority of F1 fans would not have missed Ferrari too much back then. It wasn't until Shumi turned things around that they became a valuable asset again. Whether or not F1 really 'needs' a team generally comes down to how much they've been winning in recent years. As you say, its a business and there's lots to be had from the bandwagonners latching onto the current champs.

However, the lack of McLaren these days would make F1 a continual Ferrari parade and no better than the Indianapolis debacle or the 2003 dominance. I can't understand why they and their fans think that is a good way to go racing.

F1 needs good, honest competition with unbiased governance. Anyone thinking any team should get any type of special consideration due to heritage will probably disagree; but Michael Jordan doesn't get anything from the NBA, nor the English Cricket team from the ICC. Its supposed to be a sport, not a fixed display to worship your heros.

Goto most races and the Ferrari fans add up to all the other teams put together, sometimes more. If Ferrari left F1 sure F1 would survive but it would lose it'a ppeal by more then half. Sponsors would leave, television networks would no longer pay a premium and the fans will follow them to whatever series they decided to move to.

Of the ones I've been to, most were dominated by Schumacher fans with Ferrari flags - not the out-and-out Tifosi. I think the grandstands will be swamped with Hamilton fans in the near future and the networks will maintain the premium payments, providing he has a decent 2008 season.

Back on topic, I've read a few quotes but not the article itself. The main one was "had the feel of a witch hunt". Most of it just seemed to be him asking a few difficult to answer questions. It would be nice to see them answered under oath.

[juggles]

love martin's passion, and his occasional flaunting of the rules - seen him have a few run-ins with the security guards hehe. he's a great personality though.

However, as Jeremy Clarkson said to Lewis --> 'I'm sure you've noticed that every time you've done...not so well...Brundle's talked to you before the race. He's bitter. Hit him.'

[7UpJordan]

love martin's passion, and his occasional flaunting of the rules - seen him have a few run-ins with the security guards hehe. he's a great personality though.

Gotta love the argument he had with the security guard on the grid in Shanghai, and just after saying "I don't want to talk to Alonso because I don't like the way he's approached this season.".

[texasmr2]

Dude what's up with the 'dash' between each word? PLEASE write a proper and understandable sentence or paragraph for the sake of everyone.

[deMuRe]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.


Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

Stop crying, I know it's upsetting McLaren haven't won anything since 1999 but get over it, if your team doesn't win you don't blame the establishment you endure the lean period and hope for the best next season...

That's a fairly naive veiw IMO. Go back to the mid 90's and Ferrari were nothing and the Williams/McLaren battles were all that F1 needed. The majority of F1 fans would not have missed Ferrari too much back then. It wasn't until Shumi turned things around that they became a valuable asset again. Whether or not F1 really 'needs' a team generally comes down to how much they've been winning in recent years. As you say, its a business and there's lots to be had from the bandwagonners latching onto the current champs.

However, the lack of McLaren these days would make F1 a continual Ferrari parade and no better than the Indianapolis debacle or the 2003 dominance. I can't understand why they and their fans think that is a good way to go racing.

F1 needs good, honest competition with unbiased governance. Anyone thinking any team should get any type of special consideration due to heritage will probably disagree; but Michael Jordan doesn't get anything from the NBA, nor the English Cricket team from the ICC. Its supposed to be a sport, not a fixed display to worship your heros.

Goto most races and the Ferrari fans add up to all the other teams put together, sometimes more. If Ferrari left F1 sure F1 would survive but it would lose it'a ppeal by more then half. Sponsors would leave, television networks would no longer pay a premium and the fans will follow them to whatever series they decided to move to.

Of the ones I've been to, most were dominated by Schumacher fans with Ferrari flags - not the out-and-out Tifosi. I think the grandstands will be swamped with Hamilton fans in the near future and the networks will maintain the premium payments, providing he has a decent 2008 season.

Back on topic, I've read a few quotes but not the article itself. The main one was "had the feel of a witch hunt". Most of it just seemed to be him asking a few difficult to answer questions. It would be nice to see them answered under oath.

I would be curious to see how popular LH is outside the UK.

[bolow]

Brundle hits back, new post on PittPass.com. F1 fans have known for years how corrupt the FIA was, but now the average Joe can read about it in main-stream media like The Sunday Times. We need more ambassadors of the sport of F1 racing to come forward, like former F1 driver Martin Brundle.

Well said, this is what Ron Dennis and Whitmash should be saying. Anyway it's nice to see someone with balls.

[racechick]

If Dennis or whitmarsh said it the 2008 car would not be cleared to race, Others need to take up the fight who cannot be so easily damaged. Like Hill, Moss,Stewart, Brundle, Respected people who are not currently racing.

[f1usa]

deMuRe wrote: In a business you look after your number one customer. Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA"s number one customer.??????????? There is a serious flaw in this logic. Substitute the word (Governing Body) in place of FIA. Then your post reads as: Ferrari is the GOVERNING BODY"s number one customer. We are all aware of the FIA/Ferrari bias, I just happen to think the NUMBER ONE CUSTOMER of Formula One is the ticket buying FAN.

[deMuRe]

deMuRe wrote: In a business you look after your number one customer. Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA"s number one customer.??????????? There is a serious flaw in this logic. Substitute the word (Governing Body) in place of FIA. Then your post reads as: Ferrari is the GOVERNING BODY"s number one customer. We are all aware of the FIA/Ferrari bias, I just happen to think the NUMBER ONE CUSTOMER of Formula One is the ticket buying FAN.

Yes that's one way of looking at it. Depends on which way you see your bread is being buttered.

I personally think Formula One's biggest customer is the guy who picks up the TV remote before each race, trackside revenue is no where near as large as television revenue.

If most of the TV watchers out there are Ferrari Fans, you could say Ferrari is Formula One's most important team, they bring the most customers to the table.

I guess to truly analyse my statement you have to ascertain how many of those fans would simply team switch if Ferrari left F1 or would they stop watching F1 alltogether?

[bud]

F1 was flourishing very well in the twenty year lull of Ferrari success from the 80s and 90s demure!
this current crop of people running the show are cowardly corrupt w**kers and i would love to meet them face to face

[F1tastic]

F1 was flourishing very well in the twenty year lull of Ferrari success from the 80s and 90s demure!

Absolutely correct. Teams come and go... drivers come and go... teams have sucess then they dont. Swings and roundabouts. Fans still watch come what may.

I often wonder what motivates some of the posters in these forums. Clearly every team has it's fans and detractors. One single team is not bigger than the sport, and neither is any single driver.

[deMuRe]

F1 was flourishing very well in the twenty year lull of Ferrari success from the 80s and 90s demure!
this current crop of people running the show are cowardly corrupt w**kers and i would love to meet them face to face

They have made everybody rich, which is why they've lasted so long...