BMW rumour for Le Mans 2017 - Page 3

Akrapovic · 25 May 2015, 08:27 (Ref:3540966)

Until they all leave and they have to panic to reduce costs to get the privateer teams back in. See F1 right now!

Simmi · 25 May 2015, 09:08 (Ref:3540980)

Not sure why people wouldn't want to see BMW.

We seem to be heading towards some sort of cost cap ahead of the new regs. Worrying about grid sizes for 2017 seems a bit premature. As does any of this really given BMW haven't said a word about this programme publicly. But there's no reason to assume that the 2015 grid cap is going to be the same in two years.

Sportscar racing is cyclical. F1 will enjoy an upturn in the future. Sportscars will face a downturn at some point. Why deny yourself a blue-chip manufacturer?

Akrapovic · 25 May 2015, 09:18 (Ref:3540983)

I don't think BMW are a bad thing - they're a fantastic thing. But LMP1 slots either have to be accommodated by new garages and bigger grids, or by the loss of smaller teams. I'd like 20 works LMP1 teams, but only if we don't lose small teams whilst we're at it.

Acid09 · 25 May 2015, 09:28 (Ref:3540989)

It's all about what's good for the sport and honestly, if accommodating a large-scale manufacturer means losing two more GTE-Am cars, I'm all for it.

Spyderman · 25 May 2015, 09:31 (Ref:3540991)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Until they all leave and they have to panic to reduce costs to get the privateer teams back in. See F1 right now!

F1's problem are not costs. It is it is trying to correct the many errors it has committed by a reduction in costs. Over regulation and management and strategy mistakes are the main issues driving their problems.

Simmi · 25 May 2015, 09:49 (Ref:3540994)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I don't think BMW are a bad thing - they're a fantastic thing. But LMP1 slots either have to be accommodated by new garages and bigger grids, or by the loss of smaller teams. I'd like 20 works LMP1 teams, but only if we don't lose small teams whilst we're at it.

We know there are more garages being built at Le Mans and I don't think it's a big issue at the tracks the WEC visits. They just might need to get a bit smarter about hospitality which is apparently one of the biggest considerations.

The WEC would need to perhaps get another plane for freight but that had to be something they'd anticipated as part of a growing series.

Privateers are precious like you say but if it means AF Corse enter only four cars instead of six then I don't really mind.

Hawkwood · 25 May 2015, 09:55 (Ref:3540996)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyderman

F1's problem are not costs. It is it is trying to correct the many errors it has committed by a reduction in costs. Over regulation and management and strategy mistakes are the main issues driving their problems.

Really? You should tell that to the likes of Sauber and Force India because they seem pretty worried about the ever rising costs.

Spyderman · 25 May 2015, 10:14 (Ref:3541001)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

Really? You should tell that to the likes of Sauber and Force India because they seem pretty worried about the ever rising costs.

Is it the rising costs that they are worried about, or the fact that the smaller teams get less compensation than the richer teams? Costs are an issue if your revenue is low. That problem can be solved either through lowering costs or increasing revenue.

J Jay · 25 May 2015, 10:38 (Ref:3541003)

I'm not sure that the comparisons with 98-00 are entirely accurate. That period saw a big manufacturer rush to Le Mans in a very short time, which probably contributed to the bubble bursting. At the moment we have a relatively stable set of factory entries that has increased over a longer period. I don't see as much of an issue with BMW coming to LMP1 because it will take them time to get the program started, which gives time for the ACO to accommodate the extra cars.

GT3.14 · 25 May 2015, 11:58 (Ref:3541025)

We may not need the extra garages if P2 is hit hard when the spec engine regulations come in to play. The spec engine P2s would just be grid filler to me, might as well put Carrera Cup on the grid.

cokata · 25 May 2015, 12:11 (Ref:3541026)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

Really? You should tell that to the likes of Sauber and Force India because they seem pretty worried about the ever rising costs.

Priveteer teams have always struggled in F1, it has always been a hugely expensive sport to participate in. What happened is that when the financial crisis hit in 2007/2008 a lot of the manufacturers left F1, and after that the sport hasn't done enough to bring them back or attract new ones.

deggis · 25 May 2015, 18:59 (Ref:3541145)

It's kind of funny that the biggest obstacle to growing grids is the semi-artificial grid cap.

Also, on the other hand, the more manufacturers there are, the more there are also left when some of them eventually leave. Now that 3-way overall win battle has become a norm and maybe soon 4-way, going back to two would be a downer.

Chiana · 25 May 2015, 19:29 (Ref:3541154)

There is one way two tier could be better than current four tier. Ferrari vs Porsche

Anyway there isn't really grid limit for current LMP1, it only exists for the other classes.

TF110 · 25 May 2015, 19:33 (Ref:3541155)

Which is why they need to keep costs down before one or two teams spend everyone out of contention. Thats something f1 has a problem with. If the costs are in control you can keep teams around longer imo. They just need to tread carefully so innovation doesnt go stagnant.

Acid09 · 25 May 2015, 19:38 (Ref:3541160)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deggis

Also, on the other hand, the more manufacturers there are, the more there are also left when some of them eventually leave. Now that 3-way overall win battle has become a norm and maybe soon 4-way, going back to two would be a downer.

Indeed, two is the bare minimum the series needs to survive. So the further away we get from that, the better...especially considering that two of the manufacturers are even connected to each other and as such are not completely separate entities.

To be in a real stable state, the series needs two non-VAG factories competing because we never know how long the "allowance" of having two makes race each other at VW will list.

Right now, we're barely there, especially as it is still looking like Nissan's effort will be short-lived. So at least one more manufacturer is pretty much needed for long-term stability.