gkmccready

Formula One teams propose massive changes to cut costs, appeal to fans

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090305/FREE/903059997

KEY PROPOSALS

Technical

2009:

--More than 100% increase in mileage per engine (eight engines per driver per season)

--Reduction in wind tunnel and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) usage

--Engine available at €8 million per team per season

2010:

--Engine available at €5 million per team per season

--Gearbox available at €1.5 million per team per season

--Standardized KERS (put out to tender, with a target price of €1-2 million per team per season)

--Target a further 50% reduction of the 2009 aerodynamic development spending

--Specified number of chassis, bodywork and aerodynamic development iterations (homologations) during the season

--Prohibition of a wide range of exotic, metallic and composite materials

--Standardized telemetry and radio systems

Sporting

2009:

--Testing reduction (50%)

--New points-scoring system (12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1), to give greater differentiation/reward to grand prix winners

--Race starting fuel loads, tire specifications and refueling data to be made public

2010:

--Commitment to recommend new qualifying format

--Radical new points-scoring opportunities (eg, one constructors' championship point to be awarded for the fastest race pit stop)

--Further testing reductions (four four-day single-car pre-season tests plus one single-car pre-season shakedown)

--Reduction of grand prix duration (250km or a maximum of one hour 40 minutes) pending the approval of the commercial rights holder

Commercial

2009:

--Increased data provision for media

--Explore means by which the presentation of Formula One action can be more informatively and dynamically presented, common to other sports such as tennis and cricket, to dramatically improve engagement with the public

--Nominated senior team spokesman available for TV during grand prix

--Commitment to enhance consumer experience via team and FOTA websites

--Mandatory driver autograph sessions during grand prix weekends

2010:

--Commitment to enhance consumer experience via TV coverage

KEY DEMOGRAPHICS OF GLOBAL AUDIENCE SURVEY

--17 countries surveyed

--First ever poll of Formula One devotees alongside non-Formula One devotees (ie, marginal and/or low interest fans)

--Responses were weighted according to the size of viewing market in each country (to avoid small markets skewing the results)

--Results were segmented by interest level in Formula One, demographic profiles (age and gender), country and region

Total audience is comprised of:

--Regular fans (25% by volume, predominantly male, cross section of ages)

--Moderate fans (44% by volume, female and male, cross section of ages)

--Infrequent fans (31% by volume, unlikely to watch Grands Prix, predominantly female, cross section of ages)

Tintin

This is not what F1 is about. They should eliminate all of the rules except physical size - wheelbase, track ,height, ground clearance and length- and engine displacement. Everything else should be open. If they want to increase passing, they should eliminate pit stops except for broken pieces- no tyre changes, no refuelling - get a flat? Too bad.. Out of fuel? Tough break... there would be more than one line on the track this way..harder tyres = sliding and fewer marbles and a better show..

There would be lots of passing and better finishes and it would pass a lot of technology down hill to road cars as it has in the past...

VetteDrmr

They did that, what, 3 years ago? It was horrendously boring, because NO ONE was willing to stress their tires. Pit stops and qualifying are about the only entertaining part of the races, although the past two years have been better, even excellent at times.

Have a good one,
Mike

mgarfias

What they ought to do is do away with 99% of the rules, say your car has to fit inside a certain size box, weigh 1300lb with driver or higher, and then limit the cars to say 100 gallons of a spec fuel (no rocket fuel).

Let the teams go nuts. I bet we'd see a lot of interesting things.

bcstonic

What you said........ beside the SRF acronym is use by my class Spec Racer Fords!

Tintin

it was boring because the tyres were not hard enough to last say 150% of the distance... on the other hand making F1 open on the rules leads to a lot of passing - see the Turbo years...

Last year was good for sure with the exception of that guy giving Hamilton the championship by faking a tyre problem..