Third Cars

[markfarrell9572]

Ferrari have long wanted to run a third car, and with the lack of opportunities for up and coming drivers to get their backside in a car, how about each team being allowed run 3rd car in a maximum of 5 races.  Only one nominated driver is allowed and  must contest all 5 races.  He (or she) must compete at their home race, or in the case they have no home GP must nominate one.  To help protect the smaller teams 26 cars can start the race and only top 2 from each team can score constructor's points.  To avoid teams running spoilers in the championship run in there has to be a 2 race gap between each race the driver can do.  To raise funds the third cars can race in separate liveries.

Any views on this?

[Scott]

I think it could work if there were less than 12 teams (maybe 8 or 9) but as it stands, I would say the races would become way too crowded.  Plus rules to make it fair like you suggest might make it way to complicated for the casual fan, which F1 desperately needs to keep.

[Jericoke]

I always felt that if Ferrari was serious about running more drivers, they could easily field a second team, a la Red Bull/ Toro Rosso.

There is still one open slot for a team... but no effort from Ferrari

[Wats-on]

I do agree with Scott: much to complicated...

[Jugirl]

I do agree with Scott: much to complicated...

I agree there. Its hard enough to keep up with everything this season already hehe.
Imagine poor Brundle and Coulthard trying to commentate with all those extra cars 

Ju

[David]

No need for third cars on race day, but it might be an idea to allow a third in FP1 & 2? 

[Jericoke]

No need for third cars on race day, but it might be an idea to allow a third in FP1 & 2? 

It doesn't really fit with the current mandate of 'affordability'.  Ferrari can bring more cars, more parts to the track than HRT can, and advance their programme considerably faster in a 'no testing' world.

It is a good idea though, and I'm looking forward to the day where FIA decides the sport is healthy enough to let the teams do as they wish again!

[Scott]

I think you're right Jeri (you mentioned in another thread) that if Ferrari wants a third car, why not a fourth too, so just buy another team.  Phillip Morris money is still raining down on them, so why not just go out and buy an HRT or Virgin, set up a satellite shop in the UK and get on with it?

[John S]

I think you're right Jeri (you mentioned in another thread) that if Ferrari wants a third car, why not a fourth too, so just buy another team.  Phillip Morris money is still raining down on them, so why not just go out and buy an HRT or Virgin, set up a satellite shop in the UK and get on with it?

Or even Torro Rosso and keep it all in Italy. 

[Scott]

STR might cost them too much money - they aren't showing too badly these days.   

[Jericoke]

I think you're right Jeri (you mentioned in another thread) that if Ferrari wants a third car, why not a fourth too, so just buy another team.  Phillip Morris money is still raining down on them, so why not just go out and buy an HRT or Virgin, set up a satellite shop in the UK and get on with it?

Or even Torro Rosso and keep it all in Italy. 

I suspect there is enough room at Maranello to setup a distinct 'factory' for Ferrari-Ino.

And Concorde allows 13 teams... so there's a free spot available without having to buy anything.

What rules would prevent Ferrari from running two teams?

I know that each car has to have a unique design, but surely one team could handle two cars?  If not, having a junior and senior team would be just as helpful for the whole team, not just drivers.

They would be able to share wind tunnels though, even if the data is required to remain distinct.  How's that for FIA's cost savings?

[Scott]

I'd like to know exactly what is allowed to be shared and what is not.  Unique design doesn't necessarily mean they don't share a TON of parts.  Just the aero has to be unique?  Suspension, gearbox, engine, hydraulics, electronics, mechanical and actual manufacture of the carbon bits can all be shared (as long as they stick to their 'unique design'?).  Plus factory infrastructure could be shared - including all facilities and computer systems.  Driver simulation systems could be shared, and obviously management reports to the same upper-management.

[Alianora La Canta]

No need for third cars on race day, but it might be an idea to allow a third in FP1 & 2? 

It doesn't really fit with the current mandate of 'affordability'.  Ferrari can bring more cars, more parts to the track than HRT can, and advance their programme considerably faster in a 'no testing' world.

It is a good idea though, and I'm looking forward to the day where FIA decides the sport is healthy enough to let the teams do as they wish again!

In 2003, teams finishing outside the top 4 could use a third driver in two practises specifically set aside for them in exchange for a limited in-season testing regime. It worked well but fell apart when the big teams claimed this was unfair.

The trouble was all the alternatives the big teams were prepared to accept were far more expensive.

[Alianora La Canta]

I think you're right Jeri (you mentioned in another thread) that if Ferrari wants a third car, why not a fourth too, so just buy another team.  Phillip Morris money is still raining down on them, so why not just go out and buy an HRT or Virgin, set up a satellite shop in the UK and get on with it?

They'd have to get the FIA to approve it first and Jean Todt won't want to give any team currently in F1 any more power than he has to because of the upcoming Concorde negotiations. Any 13th team will have to be a well-funded independent (because Jean's shown he won't accept a badly-funded independent as a new team on his watch) or a car company not currently in F1.

[David]

No need for third cars on race day, but it might be an idea to allow a third in FP1 & 2? 

It doesn't really fit with the current mandate of 'affordability'.  Ferrari can bring more cars, more parts to the track than HRT can, and advance their programme considerably faster in a 'no testing' world.

It is a good idea though, and I'm looking forward to the day where FIA decides the sport is healthy enough to let the teams do as they wish again!

I look forward to that day too Jeri. F1 shouldn't be about cost cutting. It should be the ultimate series for the ultimate teams, and those teams should be able to engineer their ultimate racing machines. To do this they either need testing or a third car to run at race weekends to develop, and the other two can focus on set up.