Penforhire

I was watching the first F1 practice (well, first televised, second actual) and all the announcers got on a crying jag about "3rd party" cars, where some teams pay to play with someone else's hardware (e.g. Honda vs Super Aguri). They made the interesting point that what defines F1, for Peter anyway, is constructors that have to design and build their own cars. They spend millions developing a car from scratch so why should Johnny-come-lately get to buy in for much less?

I agree. More than anything else, rolling your own is what makes it F1. But would the number of entrants be too low if they make that a rule? Also, is it "weak F1" if someone only buys engines?

Honda F1

It's definitely an interesting debate. Just look at Super Aguri's performance all weekend. They are fast! But they are just racing a modified Honda RA106 from last season and seemingly, will get great results. And without customer cars, it limits the ability of start ups to participate and I thought the big push from Bernie and Max was to increase the diversity of teams in the sport? Make F1 more accessible to the "little" guys who don't have the financial pull or dedicated resources to hang with the big boys.

Especially with Super Aguri performing so amazingly thus far, there's little doubt Williams and Spyker will be filing protests against Super Aguri and probably the two Red Bull teams as well. Another silly season is upon us!

ytdlite

i agree its a complicated issue. its no longer possible to jump into f1 on a low budget and show up on the grid with a fresh design and be competitive. jordan, manardi, prost and even jaguar/ford could not keep it going. well maybe eddie jordan spent to much for all those pit babes. but now the "3rd party car" is the current option that allows a new team to be some what competitive and therefore attract sponsors. f1 will never be what it was in that period in the 60s just before the aero/down force packages started showing up on cars. the increase in speed and the need to push the car down onto the track has driven f1 costs through the roof.
i come down in favor of allowing bigger teams to sell chassies/engines to smaller teams and then enjoy watching the results.

Popeye

You guys are just jealous

Popeye

This just in ........



As expected Spyker filed its

Honda F1

Latest news off some F1 sites state the stewards threw out Spyker's initial complaint against Super Aguri and have refused to rule because they say it is out of their jurisdiction to decide the legality of the Super Aguri chassis. Now Spyker is filing a complaint not only against Super Aguri, but both Red Bull teams as well.

ytdlite

pyker vows legal action against rivals
Colin Kolles digging in over customer cars
17/03/07 15:29



Photo F1-Live.com
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Kolles (left) chats with Franz Tost of STR
Spyker boss Colin Kolles has vowed legal action against F1 rivals Super Aguri, Toro Rosso and Red Bull.

The Dutch squad's Team Principal informed the media of his decision at Albert Park on Saturday afternoon, after stewards dismissed his official protest against the legality of Super Aguri's new SA07 as a commercial issue rather than the responsibility of the FIA.

"This clarification for us is very important," he said.

Asked if Spyker would now seek arbitration, Kolles answered: "Yes, this is how I see it."

Worryingly for the teams in question, Spyker is apparently backed by Williams, and less overtly by others, including Toyota, McLaren, Renault, the FIA, and - significantly - commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.


Ferrari, although Toro Rosso's engine supplier, is understood to have adopted a neutral position.

Spyker is seeking that Super and Toro Rosso be allowed to race but not be eligible for points.

The case would be heard by the Swiss based Court of Arbitration for Sport. It could take several months to reach a conclusion.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

just when aguri looks like it could score some points.