Smaller Wings = Smaller Paychecks

[cosworth151]

Sir Frank Williams has come up with another effect of next year's aero rules changes: less space for advets! He told Autosprint magazine:

"I think the decision to reduce the aerodynamic areas was taken by Max Mosley, with the aim of slowing down the cars. And then the teams' engineers also worked on it.

"But as a marketing man I must say one thing: the rear wing is 25% smaller. The bargeboards will also change, as will the deflectors at the side of the chassis. In general, this means a lot less space. And this space, hell, is worth millions in sponsorship.

"If it had been five or ten per cent less surface... but 25 means, for whoever puts its name on the rear wing, that with the same deal you'll get 25% less money."

Maybe this is why some teams have gone with the new "shark fins." 

[Alianora La Canta]

Ironically, this means this is the one thing Max has done under the cost-cutting banner that might actually cut costs. This is because F1 teams spend according to income.

[John S]

Yeah that is true Ali but lower sponsorship it will hit independent teams harder than the manufacturer backed teams as almost all of their budget comes from that source, so it will increase the gap between them.

[Alianora La Canta]

That is very true.