1980 Alternate F1 - Season final at Suzuka up

[pi314159]

1980 British Grand Prix - Race:

1. Tom Pryce (McLaren-BMW) 76 Laps
2. James Hunt (McLaren-BMW) +4.865
3. Jacques Laffite (Arrows-Renault) +1 Lap
4. Jacky Ickx (March-Matra) +2 Laps
5. Riccardo Patrese (Osella-Ferrari) +2 Laps
6. John Watson (Project Four-BMW) +3 Laps
7. Nelson Piquet (Tyrrell-Cosworth) +3 Laps
8. Derek Daly (Project Four-BMW) +3 Laps
9. Alain Prost (Renault) +3 Laps
10. Eddie Cheever (Alfa Romeo) +4 Laps
11. Alan Jones (Renault) +4 Laps
12. Niki Lauda (Lotus-Renault) +4 Laps
13. Patrick Tambay (Shadow-BMW) +5 Laps / Accident
14. Clay Regazzoni (March-Matra) +6 Laps / Suspension
DNF Carlos Pace (Williams-Matra) +10 Laps / Suspension
DNF Stefan Johansson (Shadow-BMW) +15 Laps / Engine
DNF Michele Alboreto (Osella-Ferrari) +15 Laps / Engine
DNF Jean-Pierre Jarier (Williams-Matra) +22 Laps / Electrics
DNF Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari) +28 Laps / Accident
DNF Tom Sneva (Ensign-Ferrari) +32 Laps / Gearbox
DNF Elio de Angelis (Ferrari) +39 Laps / Electrics
DNF Jody Scheckter (Brabham-Matra) +40 Laps / Clutch
DNF Nigel Mansell (Alfa Romeo) +52 Laps / Engine
DNF Didier Pironi (Ligier-Ferrari) +55 Laps / Engine
DNF Mike Thackwell (Ligier-Ferrari) +60 Laps / Clutch
DNF Patrick Depailler (Arrows-Renault) +63 Laps / Engine
DNF Carlos Reutemann (Ensign-Cosworth) +67 Laps / Gearbox
DNF Keke Rosberg (Brabham-Matra) +74 Laps / Electrics

Fastest Lap: James Hunt (McLaren-BMW)

Injury report: Patrick Tambay misses the Swedish Grand Prix

[Peteroli34]

Alfa romeo will invest 600k into ground effects

[Hermann95]

Williams will invest 500k into reliability on top of what we invested after thr qualifying.

[Samster]

After we have dropped back down to 17th Boro will invest 600k into top speed for our final upgrade of the season. Could do with another fluke top 10 to put us ahead of Penske and Lotus.

Also, WTF March!

[pi314159]

As the first half of the 1980 season is over, teams will receive the following amount of prize money:

1. McLaren: 2 750 000
2. Arrows: 2 500 000
3. Shadow: 2 250 000
4. Brabham: 2 125 000
5. Williams: 2 000 000
6. Ferrari: 1 875 000
7. Osella: 1 750 000
8. March: 1 625 000
9. Project Four: 1 500 000
10. Ensign: 1 375 000
11. Ligier: 1 250 000
12. Alfa Romeo: 1 125 000
13. Tyrrell: 1 000 000
14. Renault: 875 000
15. Penske: 750 000
16. Lotus: 625 000
17. Boro: 500 000
18. Surtees: 375 000
19. Rebaque: 250 000
20. Kauhsen: 125 000
21. ATS: 0
22. Wolf: 0

[SeedStriker]

Ensign will do the following upgrade

300K to top speed
300K to reliability
300K to grip

[pasta_maldonado]

Do the budgets on the front page reflect the mid-season prize money?

[DemocalypseNow]

Do the budgets on the front page reflect the mid-season prize money?

Considering Osella is currently shown as being at -840.000 despite winning almost 2M in mid-season money, I doubt it.

[FantometteBR]

Almost Nelson! Almost!

[takagi_for_the_win]

Well then, Ferrari will donate 1 million of their prize money to their engine department. We will also go for a 1.2 million ground effect upgrade, and 600k on reliability.

For the next race, Ferrari will bring substantial engine upgrades. These upgrades have had a full million spent on them, so as such will be fairly costly, but we have concentrated our efforts on eradicating the powerplant's inherent reliability problems, as well as eking out a bit more power and fuel efficiency. As I said, they're big upgrades, hence the cost of 100k per unit.

[pasta_maldonado]

Brabham will spend 1.5 million on ground effects, with 500.000 on reliability.

[pi314159]

Do the budgets on the front page reflect the mid-season prize money?

Not yet, they're correct as of before Brands Hatch.

[Nessafox]

For Kauhsen 300K on ground effect, 300k on grip, 300K on speed, and dare i say it, 300K on reliability!

Yes, that will get me seriously below zero, so i want to see if former Kauhsen/Kojima drivers Fushida, Hasemi, Hoshino, Takahara, Pilette, Nève, Edwards, Anderson, Kuwashima, and germans Ludwig, Stuck, Stommelen and Heyer are interested in paying for the second seat.

Willy is no more mr. nice guy!

[Nuppiz]

Woo, finally some points for March and just on the right moment!

[Samster]

For Kauhsen 300K on ground effect, 300k on grip, 300K on speed, and dare i say it, 300K on reliability!

Yes, that will get me seriously below zero, so i want to see if former Kauhsen/Kojima drivers Fushida, Hasemi, Hoshino, Takahara, Pilette, Nève, Edwards, Anderson, Kuwashima, and germans Ludwig, Stuck, Stommelen and Heyer are interested in paying for the second seat.

Willy is no more mr. nice guy!

Now look who's taking on pay drivers.

[Nessafox]

For Kauhsen 300K on ground effect, 300k on grip, 300K on speed, and dare i say it, 300K on reliability!

Yes, that will get me seriously below zero, so i want to see if former Kauhsen/Kojima drivers Fushida, Hasemi, Hoshino, Takahara, Pilette, Nève, Edwards, Anderson, Kuwashima, and germans Ludwig, Stuck, Stommelen and Heyer are interested in paying for the second seat.

Willy is no more mr. nice guy!

Now look who's taking on pay drivers.

like i said, Willy is no more mr. nice guy. Still. Though all mentioned drivers are high profile, being because of their past with the team, or because of their talent. Also Winkelhock isn't exactly performing well...

[pi314159]

Hiroshi Fushida:
1-75 joins Kauhsen
76-100 rejects the offer
13, he accepts and offers 70 000 for four races

Masahiro Hasemi:
1-70 joins Kauhsen
71-100 rejects the offer
84, he rejects the offer

Kazuyoshi Hoshino:
1-70 joins Kauhsen
71-100 rejects the offer
5, he accepts and offers 80 000 for five races

Noritake Takahara
1-70 joins Kauhsen
71-100 rejects the offer
88, Takahara rejects the offer

Teddy Pilette
1-80 joins Kauhsen
81-100 rejects the offer
39, he accepts and offers 30 000 for two races

Patrick Nève
1-50 joins Kauhsen
51-100 rejects the offer
76, Nève doesn't join Kauhsen

Guy Edwards
1-50 joins Kauhsen
51-100 rejects the offer
43, Edwards accepts and offers 20 000 for one race

Conny Anderson
1-70 joins Kauhsen
71-100 rejects the offer
72, Andersson rejects the offer

Masami Kuwashima
1-75 joins Kauhsen
76-100 rejects the offer
59, he accepts and offers 20 000 for one race

Klaus Ludwig
1-20 joins Kauhsen
21-100 rejects the offer
25, he rejects Kauhsen's offer

Hans-Joachim Stuck
1-15 he joins Kauhsen
16-100 he rejects the offer
81, he rejects the offer

Rolf Stommelen
1-15 he joins Kauhsen
16-100 he rejects the offer
90, he rejects the offer

Hans Heyer
1-85 he joins Kauhsen
86-100 he rejects the offer
54, he accepts and offers 40 000 for two races.

[roblo97]

Could Wolf please bid on the following pay drivers to replace Jarrier...

Masahiro Hasemi
Noritake Takahara
Patrick Nève
Conny Anderson
Klaus Ludwig
Hans-Joachim Stuck
Rolf Stommelen

Thanks

[Nessafox]

Then Edwards will drive at Sweden, Heyer at Germany and Austria, Pilette in the Switzerland (if he agrees on running only one race), Kuwashima in the Netherlands and Fushida will do the last 4 races. Winkelhock will remain reserve-driver.

Could Wolf please bid on the following pay drivers to replace Jarrier...
Masahiro Hasemi Noritake Takahara Patrick Nève Conny Anderson Klaus Ludwig Hans-Joachim Stuck Rolf Stommelen
Thanks

I very much doubt that many of them will see Wolf as a step up from Kauhsen

[roblo97]

Then Edwards will drive at Sweden, Heyer at Germany and Austria, Pilette in the Switzerland (if he agrees on running only one race), Kuwashima in the Netherlands and Fushida will do the last 4 races. Winkelhock will remain reserve-driver.

Could Wolf please bid on the following pay drivers to replace Jarrier...
Masahiro Hasemi Noritake Takahara Patrick Nève Conny Anderson Klaus Ludwig Hans-Joachim Stuck Rolf Stommelen
Thanks

I very much doubt that many of them will see Wolf as a step up from Kauhsen

At least Wolf are a race winning team
ok, that may have been in 1978 but stuff happens

[Salamander]

At least Wolf are a race winning team
ok, that may have been in 1978 but stuff happens

Wolf never won a race. Ever. They didn't even score a point in 1978.

[pi314159]

All budgets are now updated.

As for the Wolf pay driver offers:

Could Wolf please bid on the following pay drivers to replace Jarrier...

Masahiro Hasemi
Noritake Takahara
Patrick Nève
Conny Anderson
Klaus Ludwig
Hans-Joachim Stuck
Rolf Stommelen

Thanks

As they just turned down offers from Kauhsen, a team which gives them a better chance of qualifying, the chances of joining Wolf are low.

Masahiro Hasemi
1-15 joins Wolf
16-100 declines
29, he declines

Noritake Takahara
1-15 joins Wolf
16-100 declines
77, he declines

Patrick Nève
1-10 joins Wolf
11-100 declines
39

Conny Andersson
1-15 joins Wolf
16-100 declines
50

Klaus Ludwig
1-5 joins Wolf
6-100 declines
56

Hans Joachim Stuck
1-5 joins Wolf
6-100 declines
56

Rolf Stommelen
1-5 joins Wolf
6-100 declines
36

[kevinbotz]

Nichols: New engine supplier likely for 1981

Shadow boss Don Nichols has hinted that his team will likely end their two-year association with BMW ahead of the 1981 Grand Prix season.

The German engine supplier has embroiled itself in controversy since the announcement of the new technical regulations in July, making multiple threats to withdraw from the sport unless radical revisions were made to the regulations. BMW have since publicly declared that all engine development programs have been frozen, much to the consternation of the four BMW powered teams on the grid.

"The situation's becoming increasingly difficult now. Ligier's invested a massive amount into a new ground effects package, and the other well-resourced teams have followed suit", said Nichols.

"We obviously enjoy far less resources than those teams, and we're unable to match them in the development game. That's the nature of the sport, and I've no qualms about it. What is making this all the more difficult is that our engine supplier obstinately refuses to rectify existing issues with their power unit - we've lost multiple points scoring positions due to BMW engine failures in the past few races, points that are absolutely crucial at this stage in the season."

"This sort of attitude is not the one we were expecting when we signed with BMW, with their meticulous reputation and pedigree - which we now find to be completely unwarranted, given that they've been conducting themselves with nothing but pettiness and malice in the past few months. I'd be disingenuous if I were to say that we weren't considering other suppliers for 1981; in fact, if BMW do not overhaul their management and reverse their intolerably myopic policies, I can safely state that Shadow will end their association with them ahead of the new season."

"They are making a mockery out of the hard work that our team has put in over the past year."

[Wallio]

It is a shame Mr. Nichols has decided to go public like this. If he were a man, he would contacted us in private. And in private I would have asked him if we were also responsible for the numerous gearbox failures (over a dozen last season alone) Shadow is plagued with. With nearly 20 gearbox failures since we have been partners, a simply horrid rate, our engines are the problem? Especially when we signed them up they were a mid-pack no-hoper, and now they are 3rd in the WCC. Your JPS sponsorship is directly because of us. So ungrateful. You are welcome to find a new engine supplier at any time, and I would think about it, our lawyers are reviewing the contracts to see if this public outburst has breached it.

And your impatience is uncalled for, As we said time and time again, we were considering all of our options in regards to next year, while awaiting the new rules, and after thinking it over, instead of being insulted that the rules were changed solely to ban our engine, we are actually flattered by it. Its very good marketing. "The only engine so good, its banned in F1!" "So good, Oscella cried until it was banned!" etc. etc. However, we are concerned that the FIA will randomly change the rules again if they don't like the outcome of these new regulations. So we ask for the following compromises that will benefit all engine suppliers:

1.) Engine rules stability for 4 seasons (Having new engines every two years is unsustainable)
2.)An increase in the budget cap from the current 5mil to 10mil (it has been said costs will double, so our budget must double as well)
3.)An increase in the number of allowed teams from 6 to 7 (if we are going to invest, let us try to recoup our costs)

Again these would benefit all suppliers, not just us and Matra, the two most crippled by these new regulations.

[pi314159]

Seriously, the engine rule change is not because BMW or any other engine is too good. Actually, most engines are very close together, and therefor there's absolutely no need for that. I can make the stats public at the end of the season to prove it. McLaren have had excellent chassis for ages. And Shadow took the risk to invest much into ground effects and had success.

Regardless of that, I already said that 1981's budgets take previous success into account. And it's not that I intend to have new engines every two years, but to change to a system which can be used for a longer time.

[Londoner]

Project Four "unhappy" with BMW, considering options for 1981

Olympus Project Four Racing, one of the two new entrants in Formula One this season, is considering its engine options for next season after the controversy surrounding BMW and the new technical regulations.

The new regulations, announced in July, have had BMW freezing all engine development until further notice. Already, Shadow have announced their displeasure at BMW's decision, and Autosport can now reveal that Project Four are similarly unhappy.

Team principal Ron Dennis had this to say

"It's a shame that things are going like this. I personally feel the new regulations are the right way to go, and I was looking forward to extending our relationship with BMW, whose engines have powered our revolutionary carbon fibre chassis into the points, already exceeding our set targets for the season. Now though, if BMW are playing hard ball, we cannot afford to be held back by a third party. We're quite unhappy with the situation and as things stands, we'll have to take the drastic option of ending our engine contract at the end of the season if there is no solution."

Project Four currently sit 9th in the Constructor's Championship, with three points scored courtesy of Derek Daly's 5th position at Monte Carlo, and John Watson's 6th at Brands Hatch.

[Wallio]

Seriously, the engine rule change is not because BMW or any other engine is too good. Actually, most engines are very close together, and therefor there's absolutely no need for that. I can make the stats public at the end of the season to prove it. McLaren have had excellent chassis for ages. And Shadow took the risk to invest much into ground effects and had success.

Regardless of that, I already said that 1981's budgets take previous success into account. And it's not that I intend to have new engines every two years, but to change to a system which can be used for a longer time.

So is that a no to our requests? (notice I didn't say "demands").

[pi314159]

Seriously, the engine rule change is not because BMW or any other engine is too good. Actually, most engines are very close together, and therefor there's absolutely no need for that. I can make the stats public at the end of the season to prove it. McLaren have had excellent chassis for ages. And Shadow took the risk to invest much into ground effects and had success.

Regardless of that, I already said that 1981's budgets take previous success into account. And it's not that I intend to have new engines every two years, but to change to a system which can be used for a longer time.

So is that a no to our requests? (notice I didn't say "demands").

To 1: A clear no. I don't want to stick with the current system.
To 2: The budgets will be increased, but not up to 10 million, because that would result in high development investments, resulting in even higher building costs, which would cause problems for the teams, especially in the lower midfield.
To 3: No, because the total number of teams is going down, while Hart are joining as a new supplier.

[Salamander]

I would just like to reiterate that McLaren is still very interested in acquiring BMW's F1 engine manufacturing facility, should they decide to leave the sport. That remains the only thing I have to say on this matter.

[Wallio]

BMW to Field In-House F1 Effort?

Bild has secured an exclusive, candid, interview with Mark Riccetti, Jr. Head of BMW 's M F1 Engine Division, who is currently embattled in an ongoing war with the FIA. "It's sad" says Riccetti, "We never wanted it to come to this. We came into F1 with high hopes, and did really well, better than even we expected, now we're being punished for it. And not just us, but Matra too, and Renault, and Alfa. It's silliness." When asked if he felt the rule changes were targeting him Riccetti was forthright "Yea, I do. We came in as new kids on the block, and we were the only ones who built an I4 and it pissed them off I guess. The instant and total success was too much. Its kinda flattering in a way. But it didn't just effect us, it will hurt Matra and Renault badly as well. The engines are all real close you know, ours is the best in terms of wins, but by any other measure, all the turbos are close. That's why I don't understand why the FIA wants to handicap them."

Riccetti was also candid when asked if the chassis of his customers helped the engine "It certainly didn't hurt us" he said "Look everybody says we only win because we're with McLaren, and hey that's fair, they're the best in the world right now. But look at Shadow, went up like 6 or 7 places in the WCC, and Project-4 is out of prequalifying. Boro kicked ass at Monaco! Monaco!, We have to be part of that no? That's why it hurt so bad when some of our customers stabbed us in the back. They are being screwed over badly by this, and its our fault? Loyalty is dead I suppose."

What will BMW do if its demands aren't met? "Whoa whoa, we didn't make demands." Riccetti clarified. "Nobody demands anything from the FIA. We made requests, requests which will help all, hell more than us at this point. We asked for 7 team supply, and nobody, bar maybe McLaren and Boro wants our engines, for whatever reason. Mainly we want rules stability. These arbitrary changes aren't good for the sport. I can't sell a total new engine design to our board of directors every two years. I'm sorry I just can't."

But what will you do? "We have four options" Riccetti explains. "One, we continue on, bite the bullet and build a new engine, name it the "Up-Your Oscella" or something. See if anybody wants it. Two, we enter as a full team, solely to piss everyone off at this point. This one would be the hardest, as one of the new rules is an arbitrary entry cap. Maybe we could buy Boro, but I doubt they'd want to sell. Plus it'd be real hard to convince the board to fund that. Third, we sell our engine department to McLaren if they are still interested. They couldn't badge them as BMWs though, and we'd probably ask them to supply Boro too, We are loyal to our customers, even if some of our customers aren't loyal to us. Last, we might go sportscar racing. This new Group C format intrigues me. Modify the hell out of an M1 and stuff the motor in that. But I really don't know. Like I said, its sad it came to this really."

[Wallio]

Seriously, the engine rule change is not because BMW or any other engine is too good. Actually, most engines are very close together, and therefor there's absolutely no need for that. I can make the stats public at the end of the season to prove it. McLaren have had excellent chassis for ages. And Shadow took the risk to invest much into ground effects and had success.

Regardless of that, I already said that 1981's budgets take previous success into account. And it's not that I intend to have new engines every two years, but to change to a system which can be used for a longer time.

So is that a no to our requests? (notice I didn't say "demands").

To 1: A clear no. I don't want to stick with the current system.
To 2: The budgets will be increased, but not up to 10 million, because that would result in high development investments, resulting in even higher building costs, which would cause problems for the teams, especially in the lower midfield.
To 3: No, because the total number of teams is going down, while Hart are joining as a new supplier.

For #1 I meant once the new system is in place, for the record.

[Salamander]

Third, we sell our engine department to McLaren if they are still interested.

Yes. We are still interested.

[roblo97]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

[TomWazzleshaw]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

Before any of that can occur however, we believe that damages must be paid from Wolf to Ferrari concerning one Mr Derek Warwick. Due to the high costs but almost no return the Prancing Horse got out of the Warwick experiment last year. As a result, there was no other choice but to release him from the Ferrari young driver program. As a result, Ferrari request that the 500k be paid back in full that was paid out to Wolf for running Warwick, plus 10k for every race that Warwick was forced to drive that deathtrap of a car, thus leading to a grand total of 640k that Wolf must pay back to Ferrari.

[DemocalypseNow]

I find it funny BMW bothers to make a pun out of us for their engine. Maybe if they spent less time trying to think of clever puns and more time managing their engine division, they would not be in such disarray...

[Nessafox]

We believe it is in the interest of Formula 1 that Formula 1 will become a spec series, ran by the only true professional team that also evokes great passion, namely Kauhsen! Why is this the best thing? Because we think drivers are the most important thing in formula one, and teams should be banned.

And we have beer!

[roblo97]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

Before any of that can occur however, we believe that damages must be paid from Wolf to Ferrari concerning one Mr Derek Warwick. Due to the high costs but almost no return the Prancing Horse got out of the Warwick experiment last year. As a result, there was no other choice but to release him from the Ferrari young driver program. As a result, Ferrari request that the 500k be paid back in full that was paid out to Wolf for running Warwick, plus 10k for every race that Warwick was forced to drive that deathtrap of a car, thus leading to a grand total of 640k that Wolf must pay back to Ferrari.

Wolf are refusing to pay Ferrari because we simply can't afford to.

[Wallio]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

The plot thickens......

[Samster]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

The plot thickens......

With the looming entry cap, I think Wolf should be left to die off now since they are so far into dept and have no chance of earning any prize money. Same for ATS.

Now Boro would be interested in selling to BMW but only under the condition that I retain control of running the team and that Boro remains in the name.

[Wallio]

If BMW want a works team for 1981, they can buy Wolf out for the sum of 350k!

The plot thickens......

With the looming entry cap, I think Wolf should be left to die off now since they are so far into dept and have no chance of earning any prize money. Same for ATS.

Now Boro would be interested in selling to BMW but only under the condition that I retain control of running the team and that Boro remains in the name.

Honestly, its just an idea I'm kicking around. But since Pi claims the budgets will go up, (I'll have to trust him on that) the only real thing I care about now is rules stability. If these new rules stay for a few years, we'll just continue on as before.

And if that happens, BMW will need a new semi-works outfit to replace Shadow. Boro's loyalty will not be forgotten.....