FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[darwin dali]

Bernie Ecclestone says he is hopeful that the next manufacturer to enter Formula One is Korean.

Six European and Japanese carmakers are currently competing on the grid, but the F1 Chief Executive is hopeful that the Korean automobile industry - the fifth largest in the world - also gets involved.

"I would like to see one of the Korean manufacturers with us," the 77-year-old told the German news agency SID.

The Korean car industry is headed by manufacturers including Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo.



Why not? They're getting better and better at making cars.

[Jabberwocky]

You can see the F1 driver now, driving in Monaco, pulling up in Casino Square next to the Ferrari's, Lambo's and getting out of his top of the range Kia Pride

[Denthúl]

You can see the F1 driver now, driving in Monaco, pulling up in Casino Square next to the Ferrari's, Lambo's and getting out of his top of the range Kia Pride

Nothing wrong with a Kia, and I'd have no complaints about a Korean manufacturer entering the sport

I would prefer to see more independent teams entering F1, however. Sure, a variety of car manufacturers with F1 teams is nice. But we have a lot of those already. It would prove much more interesting if there were a lot more teams like Jordan, Minardi, Brabham and Williams competing. If it was a sport that more people could enter easily, I think the racing would be a lot better. But that might just be me...?

[7UpJordan]

I'd rather see an independant team come in and not another manufacturer unless it was Ford/Cosworth related. Wonder if Dave Richards has given up on Pro-Drive entering afterall?

[darwin dali]

I'd rather see an independant team come in and not another manufacturer unless it was Ford/Cosworth related. Wonder if Dave Richards has given up on Pro-Drive entering afterall?

Well, where are all these independent teams now? They usually fold after a few seasons or get bought up by some bigger fish or car manufacturer. Jordan, Minardi, Sauber, Super Best Friends are just the latest in a long string of independents that didn't make it on their own.

[Denthúl]

I'd rather see an independant team come in and not another manufacturer unless it was Ford/Cosworth related. Wonder if Dave Richards has given up on Pro-Drive entering afterall?

Well, where are all these independent teams now? They usually fold after a few seasons or get bought up by some bigger fish or car manufacturer. Jordan, Minardi, Sauber, Super Best Friends are just the latest in a long string of independents that didn't make it on their own.

True. But you have to remember that some independent teams have. And Jordan were in a position to compete for the title at one stage. You have to remember that a lot of teams have no real racing spirit and are purely in it to make money. I'd rather have an independent team on a ten-year stint that brings passion to the sport rather than a corporate organisation that can not run a team properly and doesn't care about the racing as much as they do increasing their turnover.

Minardi, Jordan etc. were teams that a lot of people really loved. When Red Bull bought Minardi, there was a massive petition set up to try to persuade RB not to change the team's name to STR. They may never have won a race in their twenty years, but they left a mark that won't be forgotten.

[VitorB]

I would like to see Hyundai step in.

As for the independent teams, its very hard nowadays... Costs are just absurd these days. Its not even a case of being or not competitive, and just racing for the passion of it. Costs just forbid most of them of even dreaming entering the sport.

[Denthúl]

Quite true. But it's something to wish for. It really would make Formula 1 a lot better, in my opinion. As would a number of other factors...

[Jabberwocky]

You can see the F1 driver now, driving in Monaco, pulling up in Casino Square next to the Ferrari's, Lambo's and getting out of his top of the range Kia Pride

Nothing wrong with a Kia, and I'd have no complaints about a Korean manufacturer entering the sport

I would prefer to see more independent teams entering F1, however. Sure, a variety of car manufacturers with F1 teams is nice. But we have a lot of those already. It would prove much more interesting if there were a lot more teams like Jordan, Minardi, Brabham and Williams competing. If it was a sport that more people could enter easily, I think the racing would be a lot better. But that might just be me...?

I am not saying there is but it is not in the same style as a through bread sports car, plus I was after the visual effect more than anything else

[bud]

I'd rather see American Bernie!

[phren]

The nature of the beast means that the days of the independant are over. Thats the way Bernie wanted it and thats the way it's gone. I remember when VW were talking about entry and everyone fell over laughing. Started with BMW and McLaren (then BMW bottled out). It's now a manufacturers show for better or worse. McLaren ( as a conglomerate) still own the majority of shares in the team as do Williams. Can't think of any other teams that have an "independant" flavour, and PLEASE dont talk about the FIAt group as independants, PLEASE.

[bud]

some good points there phren, although i only consider Williams to be the only true independent group as you call it. as they exist only for F1. Redbull well they make drinks Force India ha they exist for a rich mans hobby while his airline gets some exposure.

You could throw Ferrari Sauber and McLaren in there as existing only for F1 but the three have been bought out by big companies

[AKR]

I'd rather see American Bernie!

Yeah you said it. Bring American. Ford will do fine. Korean cars are s***. If you want more cars what about traditional GP makes. European ones like Bugatti, Audi (Formanlly Auto Union), Maserati, Bentley, Alfa Romeo???? Yeah I know the problem already. Alfa and Maserati owned by Fiat and they already have Ferrari. One is enough I guess. And Bentley, Bugatti and Audi all owned by Volkswagen so pick one I guess it would be if Volkswagen ever entered F1. The glory gloden days of GP racing are long dead.

[Denthúl]

You would think so, wouldn't you? And yet, surprisingly, I have a perfectly good Korean car sitting down on my driveway. There's not a single problem with it. Except the colour, but I can live with that.

[AKR]

You would think so, wouldn't you? And yet, surprisingly, I have a perfectly good Korean car sitting down on my driveway. There's not a single problem with it. Except the colour, but I can live with that.

Well I guess they are reliable but for racing I would like to see makes with class and heritiage. You know what I mean. I guess that is why I drive a Saab . Rally heritage and to some degree on track as well. Too bad GM owns them now as Saabs racing/rally program is very, very limited. Still they have been quite successfull in recent times in the European Rallycross Championship with Per Eklund and still hold a record set in the year 2000 at Pikes Peak by the same driver.