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Ferrari are skipping Monday and will run Thursday to Sunday.

It's an amazingly complex rule that has prevented them from running on Monday. Rather pathetic

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

So if they aren't ready for Oz can they still get ready for latter races? Or is it make it for the first race or don't turn up at home.
If they were allowed to join at a later race would it be worth it? I guess if they believe they can eventually get a decent car in a year or two down the line then they may continue but you've got to be confident of your finances. Still, they do seem to be a bit of a farcical team.

Shame about the Monday test, I had wondered if HRT may have asked if they could also run to Monday and get an extra day in. Guess not now.

It's not unusual for teams not to have their new car ready for the start of the season. Why are they farcical?

I remember a team can miss a race but will be fined. If you miss more than three races your license will be revoked.

This is a team who's car couldn't finish a race in the early stages of its first season, a team that has finished last 2 years running and will not manage any testing this year before the first race and this in their 3rd year. I appreciate there have been changes in the team but I do not understand how in their 3rd year they are not ready for testing. With the exception of HRT (who will at least make the last test, probably) every other team was there. Mercedes made a choice not to attend the first so I am not counting their new cars absence here.
So, for me, the term farcical applies. I am not saying they aren't a team of hard workers who truly want to compete in the sport, this is not a judgement on individuals. But Marussia should have been prepared, as should HRT. Last years car was poor, why not get ready for a big run at this year? Be ready for testing, have the time to develop a car, work on set ups and get your drivers ready?
I am happy to hear arguments against my judgement, I admit to being a relative rookie to the sport (only 4 years following it) so I have plenty to learn.

I think you're being a little harsh. But I get your point. A lot more goes into what the team are doing than meets the eye. What you've got to remember is that mid-season this team had a very big shake up internally which directly affected their 2012 plans. In a very short space of time they had to change how they operated the design, build and development of the car, not just for the rest of 2011 but then for 2012.

Both HRT and Marussia have failed crash tests, but so did Ferrari. Whilst Ferrari were prepared a lot earlier the failure was an unforeseen circumstance which meant an immediate change of plans. Calling Marussia farcical isn't a fair reflection.

I like how the F1 rules punish teams who may be in financial trouble by adding to them, slapping a fine on them

"Oh you can't afford to make it to the first race eh? Oh well, that'll be 100 thousand dollars please then we'll let you off..."

I know its not quite the same situation atm but there's a bizarre illogic there.
Do the NASCAR thing and strip them points until they're in the minus figures, but adding to their debt?
Hmmmm

Problem is, their lack of presence costs the governing body money as well. Quite frankly, if they can't get their act together over a period of a few seasons then they should be kicked out anyway, it doesn't help the image of the sport in any way either.

Is the fine not coming out of the deposit teams need to make with the FIA before they can participate in the F1 championship? A fine would then not hurt the daily operation of the team, but it still costs them money.

Exactly. Those 2 teams are going backwards. Suddenly Dallara and Wirth are looking quite good.

Might be a lowering of the pit lane speed this year
http://www.f1zone.net/news/f1-to-reduce ... 012/12615/

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

They should have just allowed Prodrive/Stefan GP/All the other random entries in a couple of years ago, and had a pre qualifying session on Saturday mornings. The added competition might have actually forced the 2 teams at the back to try and get their act together. I know it's a very difficult situation, but they really are going nowhere.

A member of the construction team has suffered critical injuries after a tractor rolled over onto him at the Formula One construction site in Austin.

Oh dear.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

They should just give new teams unlimited testing in their first year. Their budgets should prevent non stop testing.

I'd actually support that idea. Thing is I think the problem news teams have a lot of the time is difficulty in gelling the team together and working in a very productive manner. No amount of testing will aid with that, it really needs time and stability.

I like the idea. But it might create loopholes. Like Renault stopping their team and "creating" a new team rather than just renaming it.

Oh look, it's coming Australian GP time and Bernie is threatening them again..... only happens every year

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"An idea whose time has come cannot be stopped by any army or any government"


3x TBKL rFactor Hillclimb champion

I'm off to the BBC this coming Tuesday folks for a 'Meet the F1 team' morning. Going to have a natter with DC, perma-tan Jordan and the rest. Anyone want some questions asking if I get time to ask them?


Regards,

For those who don't traverse the Top Gear thread, everyone's favourite monotone Finn is going to Dunsfold
http://www.f1zone.net/news/raikkonen-to ... -11/12648/

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011