We shouldn’t be too hard on the Formula One Strategy Group. As with most feckless administrations, they suffer from a debilitating form of inattentive blindness – a failure to notice unexpected stimulus in one’s field of vision.
Companies spend good money combating this crippling disorder by forcing employees to watch a video featuring two teams passing balls between one another, and to count the number of passes by one team.
During the video, a person in a gorilla suit walks past the two teams, beats their chest, and then walks off. Around 50 per cent of employees don’t see the gorilla.
The F1 Strategy Group’s most recent gorilla came in the form of a proposal from Advanced Engine Research (AER) to provide struggling teams with a 2.5 litre non-energy recoverable engine or 2017.
“We’ve produced an engine that fits into exactly what they (the FIA) are looking for. Which is a very powerful, modern, fuel-efficient racing engine,” AER managing director Mike Lancaster told Autosport.
Of course, such a move would force the introduction of a two-tier championship (much like the turbo/non-aspirated classes of the 1980s), giving teams who are struggling an opportunity to compete on their own terms and (given a revamp of the division of prize funds) an opportunity to score prize-money.
Likewise, it would enable manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda and Renault to continue on their current development path without having wasted precious time, money and resources with the introduction of an abrupt, extensive regulation change.
The tender from AER came at the request of the FIA to produce a more affordable engine after Ferrari blocked a move for a cost cap on engines, despite customer teams paying approximately €12 million more for engines than they did during the V8 era.
No surprise then that the proposal from AER was shot down on Tuesday afternoon by the strategy group, instead deciding to produce their own proposal by January 15, 2016, that provides solutions to concerns over the power unit.
Translation: “No 99… I have a better idea…”
The AER veto could simply be viewed as another hurdle placed by the manufacturers to cement their dominant market position in the sport and further rattling the cage EU Commission. It might even be that the GDi V6 developed by AER for LMP1 privateers in the World Endurance Championship is too big a threat given its association with the WEC, which is seen favourably in its operations compared to Formula One.
In this regard, it’s possible it’s probably not a gorilla operating under the radar but the elephant in the boardroom. Although, should it even get noticed, the first argument would be over what species it is.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Ricciardo was forced to retire after the Aston Martin driver slammed into the back of his car during a safety car restart but Stroll…
It’s time that serious questions are asked of his Lance Stroll and his future in the team.
Five-years is a long time in motorsport, let alone the general state of the world – especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic…
Red Bull and Max Verstappen vaulted right back to the top of the charts with a win in Suzuka, after his DNF in Melbourne.
Japan Grand Prix has been the most entertaining of the season to date, but Max Verstappen was back to his winning ways.
This season is only four races old, but Fernando Alonso needs to decide on his future beyond this year sooner rather than later. Formula…
