What They Say: Adapting to the Cost Cap

I think as an organisation we would need to adapt but we have several motor racing platforms and engineering projects and once it is clear what the cost cap will be we will need to look at our structure and say ok how can we best price that up.

Quotes: Dieter Rencken

This statement from Toto Wolff underscores the significant challenge facing large, multi-faceted motorsport organizations like Mercedes. With operations spanning not only Formula 1 but potentially other series and advanced engineering projects, the introduction of a rigid cost cap for F1 necessitates a deep, strategic re-evaluation. The process involves more than just cutting budgets; it requires a fundamental restructuring of how resources are allocated, how personnel are deployed, and how different racing divisions interact. Mercedes, with its strong engineering heritage and diverse commitments, will need to devise innovative solutions to streamline operations, optimize costs, and maintain its competitive edge without compromising its broader motorsport ambitions. The clarity on the final cost cap figures will be crucial for them to finalize these complex strategic adjustments.

Social Media Pulse: Key Updates from the Motorsport World

Social media platforms continue to be a vital hub for instant news, exclusive insights, and direct engagement with the motorsport community. From breaking news at major endurance races to driver insights and statistical analyses, the digital sphere offers a unique window into the sport. Here’s a curated selection of notable posts from Twitter and Instagram, capturing the dynamic essence of current events in racing:

It’s #LeMans24 pole for our #7 crew of @Mikeconway26, @kamui_kobayashi & @pechito37!! 👏👏

The #8 car of @Sebastien_buemi, @kazuki_info & @alo_oficial finishes just 0.411s behind in second to make it a third Le Mans #Toyota front-row lockout in three years! 🇫🇷 @FIAWEC pic.twitter.com/ylFf2IMnfv

— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@TGR_WEC) June 13, 2019

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC celebrates a dominant performance at the Le Mans 24 Hours, securing a pole position with their #7 crew (Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, Jose Maria Lopez) and a front-row lockout with the #8 car (Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, Fernando Alonso) just 0.411s behind. This marks their third consecutive Le Mans front-row lockout, underscoring their formidable presence in endurance racing and setting the stage for an intense race. The tweet highlights the team’s strong form and the continued legacy of their drivers, including former F1 star Fernando Alonso.

Hoping to finally publish a social media analysis article later today.

Here’s one of the interesting statistics, across FB, Twitter and Instagram:

– @LewisHamilton has a cumulative 21.2 million followers
– the next *nine* @F1 drivers have a cumulative 21.48 million followers

— Dave Nelson (@f1broadcasting) June 13, 2019

Dave Nelson from f1broadcasting shares a striking statistic highlighting Lewis Hamilton’s immense individual popularity on social media. With 21.2 million cumulative followers across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Hamilton’s personal brand almost rivals the combined following of the next nine most popular F1 drivers. This incredible reach demonstrates Hamilton’s global appeal and influence beyond the racetrack, making him a dominant force in digital engagement within the sport.

Just twice has the pole sitter been decided in QP2 at #LeMans24 in the @FIAWEC era.

The first was @FredMako1’s GTE Pro time in 2012 – a 3:55.393.@kamui_kobayashi set the most recent, demolishing the lap record at La Sarthe with a legendary 3:14.791, or a 252 kmh average speed! https://t.co/bZ1PXGiDbn

— WEC Stats (@WECDATA) June 13, 2019

WEC Stats provides an intriguing historical tidbit about Le Mans 24 Hours qualifying. It reveals that only twice in the FIA WEC era has pole position been decided in the second qualifying session. The post highlights two memorable instances: Fred Mako’s GTE Pro time in 2012 and Kamui Kobayashi’s awe-inspiring lap in 2017, where he shattered the La Sarthe lap record with a staggering 3:14.791, achieving an average speed of 252 km/h. This historical context emphasizes the rarity and brilliance of such qualifying performances at the iconic endurance event.

An exciting glimpse from Instagram, featuring behind-the-scenes content or a visually striking moment from the motorsport world: View on Instagram

This weekend will be tough/challenging/interesting/problably crazy! What do you think? #WRC #RallyItaliaSardegna #HMSGOfficial #GameOn #TN #NG pic.twitter.com/k9IrmV88L9

— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) June 13, 2019

WRC driver Thierry Neuville expresses his anticipation for the upcoming Rally Italia Sardegna, describing it with a mix of excitement and trepidation. His tweet, accompanied by a compelling image, invites fans to speculate on the challenges and outcomes of what promises to be a “tough/challenging/interesting/probably crazy” weekend of rally action. This post perfectly captures the raw emotion and unpredictable nature of the World Rally Championship.

🇬🇧 You were expecting to see a tramway on these rails but here is our hydrogen-powered racing car! 💦

🇫🇷 Vous vous attendiez à voir un tramway sur ces rails, mais voici notre voiture propulsée à l’hydrogène ! 💦

@GreenGTOfficiel @24hoursoflemans #MISSIONH24 #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/Kva3vKzrvZ

— Mission H24 (@MissionH24) June 10, 2019

Mission H24 showcases their innovative hydrogen-powered racing car on what appears to be railway tracks, playfully subverting expectations. The bilingual post (English and French) highlights their commitment to sustainable motorsport technology, hinting at a future where racing embraces alternative fuels. This tweet from @MissionH24 during Le Mans week underscores the ongoing development of green initiatives in the wider motorsport landscape, presenting a forward-looking vision for the sport.

“Hmm, excuse me sir I want to go first.” 🤭#LMC | #ROADTOLEMANS pic.twitter.com/qRjGIVUv4

— Le Mans Cup (@LeMansCup) June 13, 2019

The Le Mans Cup account shares a humorous and engaging image, depicting a moment of on-track jostling with the caption “Hmm, excuse me sir I want to go first.” This lighthearted tweet captures the competitive spirit and close-quarters racing often seen in support series on the “Road to Le Mans,” building anticipation for the main event and connecting with fans through relatable racing scenarios.

It was a dramatic #LeMans24 qualifying session last night, particularly for our #7 #TS050 HYBRID. Despite the damage, our team did a great job to get the car back out again. 💪👏

View the incident from a different angle, and savour the fantastic teamwork that followed. @FIAWEC pic.twitter.com/OwLTfMkmEc

— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@TGR_WEC) June 13, 2019

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC reflects on a “dramatic” Le Mans 24 Hours qualifying session, acknowledging an incident involving their #7 TS050 HYBRID. The post commends the team’s exceptional resilience and rapid response in repairing the damaged car, enabling it to return to the track. Sharing footage of the incident and the subsequent teamwork, the tweet highlights the high stakes of endurance racing and the crucial role of collective effort and dedication in overcoming adversity.

• For an even deeper dive into the world of F1 personalities and teams on social media, explore our comprehensive F1 Twitter Directory. It’s your go-to resource for finding official accounts and staying connected with every aspect of Formula 1.

Essential Reads: Curated Motorsport Links

Stay informed with these insightful articles from around the motor racing world, covering everything from driver movements to technical regulations and the future of various racing series:

Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free

The F1 grid contesting the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours (Crash.net)

This detailed feature from Crash.net explores the remarkable crossover between Formula 1 and endurance racing, specifically highlighting the significant presence of former F1 drivers at the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours. The article reveals that “21 former Formula 1 drivers line up on the 2019 Le Mans 24 Hours grid boasting a collective 1,219 Grand Prix starts and 36 victories,” showcasing the enduring appeal of Le Mans and the continued competitive drive of these seasoned racers.

Pierre Gasly: ‘I want to feel I can drive the RB15 the way I want to’ (Paddock Magazine)

Paddock Magazine features an exclusive interview with Pierre Gasly, where the Formula 1 driver candidly discusses his aspirations and challenges within the Red Bull Racing team. Gasly states, “Well… it’s more the way you work with the team, trying to develop it from his feedback, and see the way he behaves with the team. You can see how some things are being done automatically as he’s been working with the same people for more years than I have. But it’s not like I can go and ask him straightforward questions – he won’t give me any tips, but you always have positive things to learn from him.” This quote offers a fascinating glimpse into the internal dynamics of a top F1 team and the learning curve for a young driver alongside an experienced teammate.

What could Euroformula’s 2020 car mean for the future of F3? (FormulaScout)

FormulaScout delves into the potential impact of Dallara’s new single-seater car, set to debut in Euroformula in 2020, on the landscape of junior single-seater racing. The article posits, “Dallara has introduced a new single-seater car which could be racing in Europe and Japan next year. It’s not called Formula 3, but it may well be the final product of its legacy.” This piece is crucial for understanding the evolving structure of feeder series and how new chassis designs could reshape the path to Formula 1, challenging established categories.

Vergne: LMP2 100 times more attractive to drivers than LMP1 (Crash.net)

Jean-Éric Vergne, a former F1 driver and successful endurance racer, offers a strong opinion on the current state of prototype racing in an interview with Crash.net. Vergne contends that “LMP2 is 100 times more attractive to drivers than LMP1” in certain contexts. He elaborates, “‘Maybe not at Toyota, because the chance of winning Le Mans, you take it, even if you don’t have any competition, everybody would take it. But then in the other LMP1 teams, coming here knowing that you have nothing to fight for, it’s very hard. I discuss a lot with Andre (Lotterer, who races for Rebellion Racing). I cannot talk for him, but I know what he feels.” This critical insight highlights concerns about competition levels in the top tier of endurance racing outside of dominant teams.

Formula E: Twin-MGU Designs Set to Be Outlawed (Eracing 365)

Eracing 365 reports on a significant regulatory change in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, with “The use of twin-MGU powertrains expected to be outlawed beginning next season, following recent controversy surrounding the technology.” This development signals a move towards greater standardization and potentially fairer competition within the electric single-seater series, addressing technical complexities and design philosophies that have sparked debate among teams and manufacturers.

We are always striving to deliver the most relevant and interesting motorsport content. If you have a suggestion for a compelling link to feature in an upcoming RaceFans round-up, please don’t hesitate to send it in via our contact form. Your contributions help us keep the community informed and engaged!

Comment of the Day: The Unfairness of F1’s Financial Imbalance

Today’s featured comment comes from Stephen Crowson, who articulates a powerful argument about the detrimental effects of F1’s inherent financial imbalance, asserting that it disadvantages not only the smaller teams but also the passionate fanbase. His detailed analysis sheds light on how the distribution of revenue impacts the sport’s credibility and competitive spectacle.

I too agree with Otmar Szafnauer. From the outside it seems so easy to equalise payments. If teams can scrape up more money from somewhere or find some “free” factory facilities then good for them. Teams employ very good accountants, and they’d know how to use that money wisely. If a team wants to employ more people on lower pay, then that’s their business.
Currently approximately 70% of the TV rights payout is handed out more or less equitably. About 34% being an equal payment (Column One payments) and 34% being performance based (Column Two payments).
However there’s another 30% handed out in bonuses. Looking at the results from last season there seems to be about a $30M gap between teams with a bonus (excluding Williams) and those without. So, for example, Haas and Renault were given $70M and $73M respectively, while 6th in the WCC McLaren got $100M (with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing getting more than that).
We can all see that money buys performance, so the question becomes should F1’s TV rights payouts stay more or less as it is or be changed? I think the current bonus system has made F1 less credible as a racing series than it could be. We wouldn’t consider a cycle race credible if some of the competitors were allowed to use electric cycles or motor bikes and others rode mountain bikes, but that’s basically what’s happening. Yes, there will be a decline in performance by Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, but that decline should be accompanied by an increase in performance by the teams without a bonus.
Consider Podiums and Pole Positions: Last season only one driver from a team without a bonus stood on the Podium at the end of a race. No one from a team without a bonus got Pole Position. I was going to say the same thing happened in 2017, but Lance Stroll got third place at Azerbaijan (Williams get a small bonus). The story is much the same for 2016. 2015 was a better year, but still no one from a team without a bonus took Pole Position.
Ultimately we, the fans, are loosing because of the bonus payments.

Stephen’s impassioned argument delves into the specifics of F1’s financial distribution model, particularly focusing on the disproportionate bonus payments that create significant gaps between teams. He draws a compelling analogy to a cycling race with unequal equipment, illustrating how financial disparity undermines the sport’s integrity and diminishes the competitive spectacle for fans. His analysis, backed by recent performance data, powerfully highlights why a more equitable distribution of wealth is essential for a truly exciting and credible Formula 1.

Community Celebrations: Happy Birthday!

Join us in extending warm birthday wishes to members of our RaceFans community! A very Happy Birthday to Sudhakar, Sankarjune14, Tifoso1989, Winterwarmer, and to Mashiat (multiple times over!). We hope you all have a fantastic day celebrating.

If you’d like to receive a special birthday shout-out on RaceFans, simply let us know your birth date! You can either send it in via our contact form or contribute to our growing list by adding your details here. We love celebrating with our readers!

On This Day in F1 History: A Look Back

Stepping back in time, we commemorate a truly remarkable moment in Formula 1 history that occurred on this very day:

• 55 years ago today, Jim Clark scored a truly astonishing victory in the 1964 Belgian Grand Prix. This race is legendary for its dramatic conclusion, as leaders Dan Gurney, Graham Hill, and Bruce McLaren all encountered unexpected trouble within the final two laps, paving the way for Clark to snatch a memorable win. It stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of early Formula 1 and the sheer grit of its competitors.

This historical highlight reminds us of the rich tapestry of moments that have shaped Formula 1 into the thrilling spectacle it is today, full of unexpected twists and legendary performances.