Whaddya think?

[stroker]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/johansson-proposal-f1-awesome-economics/4374192/

[WickerBill]

I agree with some points (I've said on here before that aero is killing the sport). Some thoughts on the article so far:

1. Where the heck is the editor? I can't believe some of the style problems in that document. (Sorry, it's what caught my eye!)
2. These changes would nearly kill the sport before it came back to life, if it did. I think Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and maybe Renault would pull out. There would be a 10-12 car grid for a couple of years while they tried to prove that the new regulations work, and they would lose a lot of fans in that process before it began to build back up.
3. When those teams left, many of the top drivers would leave as well. A breakaway series would be almost inevitable at that point.

[WickerBill]

Part 2: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/johansson-proposal-f1-awesome-competition/4374275

[SteveH]

Part 2: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/johansson-proposal-f1-awesome-competition/4374275

If all of these changes are implemented some (many?) of the current drivers may find themselves not nearly as competitive. Reducing aero grip by 70% will do that.

[WickerBill]

I am in 100% agreement that it would be awesome to watch.

[WickerBill]

Ol Steph is running out of steam for part 3, which is more or less a wrap up: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/johansson-proposal-f1-awesome-entertainment/4374294

[stroker]

I agree with some points (I've said on here before that aero is killing the sport). Some thoughts on the article so far:

1. Where the heck is the editor? I can't believe some of the style problems in that document. (Sorry, it's what caught my eye!)
2. These changes would nearly kill the sport before it came back to life, if it did. I think Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and maybe Renault would pull out. There would be a 10-12 car grid for a couple of years while they tried to prove that the new regulations work, and they would lose a lot of fans in that process before it began to build back up.
3. When those teams left, many of the top drivers would leave as well. A breakaway series would be almost inevitable at that point.

If you drop the costs by 75% and go with a spec tub/gearbox and a maximum regulated downforce, you could get Privateers back into F1 like back in the 70's & 80's. I'd think sponsorship at those costs would be fairly easy.

[SteveH]

Max Noble's response (https://www.pitpass.com/public/article.php?fes_art_id=64533)

[Mary]

I started typing a reply to this when my computer froze and I lost it, but now a few hours later, I'll try again. Don't feel like reading it again, so these comments may be a little off, LOL!

1) YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN. I know old folks always lament that things aren't the way the were in their day, but they ain't going back, nor should they. What makes Stefan think that millennials want to see racing circa 1985 just because it was great then? I'm sure that a bunch of circa 1950 guys hated 1980s racing. It isn't gonna help F1 to make a bunch of 1985 fans happy again.

2) Personally, I don't care what it costs or if it is affordable. I didn't care during the 1990s Indy-wars and I don't care now. Is F1 ridiculous? Probably, but it isn't my money. I have always thought that the .1RL and NASCAR were kidding themselves if they thought that a lot of independent teams could compete successfully against the big guys if the technology were kept at the remedial level. In my observation whatever the spec, the teams with more money will ultimately win out.

3) I have not been a life-long F1 fan, I only really started watching in the early 90s. Since then, it has ebbed and flowed, like everything else. It isn't bad now; definitely better than the early 2000s IMO, but when I see old 80s and 70s films, I'm a little jealous. But so what. In 2059 some old coot will probably be waxing rhapsodic about the 2016-19 era with so many world champions racing against each other and about how {fill in the blank sucky} it is now. Human nature.

4) I don't think trying to take away improvement or technology is the answer, unless you want some sort of vintage or nostalgia series. I do not. Can it be improved? Of course, but not by going back to a mythic (or even a real) past. Leave the past where it is...in the past.

BTW, I also read the rebuttal and although I could have lived without the snarky tone, I tend to agree more with Max Noble.

Mary