Aus GP to have 5 boost straights this year instead of 4 DRS zones

[John S]

One detection point then overtake boost lasts a whole lap not just specific zones.

As Pitpass.com says, any questions send a postcard to FIA or Liberty. 

https://www.pitpass.com/82108/5-Straight-Zones-for-Melbourne

[Philbe]

I'm sure this is going to help......not.
Heard some folks saying in a 55 lap race there will be a parade for 50 laps then a 5 lap sprint.
Poor poor poor Aston Martin.....mark my words.

[Jericoke]

I'm sure this is going to help......not.
Heard some folks saying in a 55 lap race there will be a parade for 50 laps then a 5 lap sprint.
Poor poor poor Aston Martin.....mark my words.

After watching the long distance short track speed skating at the winter Olympics, that's a common strategy

Aston Martin is many things, but poor is not one of them.

Yet.

Which actually brings up an interesting tangent.  F1 teams are worth more than ever because... F1 teams are worth more than ever (I understand economics less than I understand hybrid power units).  If Aston Martin can spend a bazillion dollars and then face plant, maybe investors will wonder what they're paying for with other teams, like Alpine or Williams if they're not getting wins.  Even McLaren, Audi and Ferrari answer to people who invest ungodly amounts of money for no tangible reason.

[John S]

Which actually brings up an interesting tangent.  F1 teams are worth more than ever because... F1 teams are worth more than ever (I understand economics less than I understand hybrid power units).  If Aston Martin can spend a bazillion dollars and then face plant, maybe investors will wonder what they're paying for with other teams, like Alpine or Williams if they're not getting wins.  Even McLaren, Audi and Ferrari answer to people who invest ungodly amounts of money for no tangible reason.

What you're missing out in your economic equation, Jeri, is many teams now make profits at the end of the year. Record payouts from Concorde and big money from sponsors set next to cost cap means most of grid can be in profit. Some like Merc, Ferrari and Red Bull very big profits, bigger teams get more Concorde payouts & much bigger sponsor money. That's the goal Papa Stroll is aiming for Aston race team.

Investors don't complain about companies who are 3rd, 4th, or even 10th in the market place if they are making profit & share value rises, or at least stays up.

Capital gains of teams are valuable too, ask the investors who bought 25% of Alpine from Renault and are now valuing that stake at 2 or 3 times the original cost - according to news about Horner's attempt to purchase same.

Add in the anti dilution fee now being at least $450m, for any new 12th entrant, even worst team on grid has a starting point well north of that for resale rather than zero. 

[Philbe]

I wasn't referring to their bank balance. It's the state of their cars. Seems they have a crazy vibration problem that they can't solve. If they run 20 laps I'll be surprised. I'm sure they will, maybe while they are in Japan some Honda tech can figure it out. And they'll have a few weeks after as the Arabian races will surely be cancelled.

[Andy B]

And they'll have a few weeks after as the Arabian races will surely be cancelled.

They are already looking at two replacements for the Bahrain and Saudi races so maybe Aston Martin/Honda with have to get a on with it.

[Jericoke]

And they'll have a few weeks after as the Arabian races will surely be cancelled.

They are already looking at two replacements for the Bahrain and Saudi races so maybe Aston Martin/Honda with have to get a on with it.

I understand why they might not go to those races, if they can't guarantee safety for fans, participants etc.

I'm a little surprised they're planning to replace them, rather than just not run them.  Sure, there are plenty of places around the world, including existing tracks with 2026 events, that can run the races, but in the past, they simply skipped the races.

Are contracts much more valuable now?  Have they decided that after 2020 they have the ability to scramble for alternate arrangements with enough lead time?

Have they been looking for an excuse to try 'double weekend' events again to prove they can be a money maker?  I'm willing to bet there are several circuits that can provide two straight sell out weekends.  It would help keep travel down.  Personally, I love spreading the sport around to as many fans as possible, but 24 races with only 20 destinations cuts down on the 'travel' complaint.  Especially if they arrange the double headers to be close to home.

[cosworth151]

They may be looking ahead  3 more races in countries that have been hit by Iran (Azerbaijan, Qatar, Abu Dhabi). I wonder if some of the new high priced TV contracts guarantee a minimum number of race weekends.

[lkjohnson1950]

That would be my bet. X number of races or you forfeit $$$.