23-Dec-08: Massa Disagrees with Salary Cut Ideas
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 23rd December 2008.
With all the talk of cost-cutting that has taken place recently, the latest development is the idea of teams cutting their driver salaries. Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali said that he believed a revolution in driver wages would occur that would see smaller amounts offered to retain talent in the future. Now, Felipe Massa has said that the driver is fundamental to the team, and that costs can be cut elsewhere. He would say that, though, wouldn’t he? Also, Massa isn’t a fan of the standard engine, saying: “I do not find this idea interesting. The fight to diminish costs is important, but a standard engine gets away from what F1 is all about - and it cannot happen.”
Elsewhere today, Toro Rosso have confirmed they’ve signed up Gianfranco Fantuzzi as team manager. He was previously at Toyota and now replaces the Ferrari-bound Massimo Rivola.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
05-Dec-08: Honda Confirm Departure from F1
This is F1 Minute for the 5th December 2008.
Honda confirmed today that they are withdrawing from Formula 1 with immediate effect. The details we discovered yesterday are all true, with the team being funded until March 2009, and if no buyer can be found, they will have to fold. Ross Brawn and Nick Fry are both optimistic, though, with Fry suggesting they’ve already been contacted by three seriously interested parties. Button spoke out, saying he was as shocked as everyone else by the news, and found it painful at first, but now feels that the team need to stay positive to be attractive to potential owners.
Max Mosley has taken the opportunity to launch the next stage of his cost-cutting revolution. He said more teams could leave unless serious steps were taken, and announced that the FIA are working exclusively with Cosworth on the standard engine for 2010. It now appears that teams don’t have to run the standard engine but it will be a low cost option.
That’s it for this week, I’ll be back on Monday with another F1 Minute.
29-Oct-08: Mallya Will Reveal Force India Engine Supplier Soon
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 29th October 2008.
In his preview quotes ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, Force India owner Vijay Mallya admitted that they would be revealing their engine supplier for next season very soon. He said: “I will make sure that my team has the best solution for engine, drivetrain and KERS possible so we can get a good head start and try to get the points that have eluded us so far this season.” He also mentioned that the lack of points was disappointing, because he knows the team are improving, but says it’s because they are concentrating on 2009.
This comes on top of Ron Dennis’ thoughts on the subject a few days ago. He said that discussions with Force India were still on track, despite the standard engine concerns: “So far we are not in a binding commitment on either side. We are very open to trying to achieve our goal, which is not to make money or lose money, but to be an absolute supporter of one of the independent teams - who are not the lifeblood of F1 but an essential ingredient of F1.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.