The F1 Thread 2014 Season

Yeh, it's a shame. F1 finances are an absolute pisstake. Give it ten more years and there'll only be five teams on the grid, and no viewers, if nothing is done.
 
Just got this press release.

The Caterham F1 team crowdfunds its return to the grid on Crowdcube

#RefuelCaterhamF1 gives fans and businesses the chance to power the team to the Abu Dhabi GP in return for unique rewards


Exeter, UK – 7 November 2014: The Caterham F1 Team is working with leading crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to finance its return to Formula 1 for the season finale in Abu Dhabi on 23 November. #RefuelCaterhamF1 is giving fans and sponsors the opportunity to be the driving force behind the team by supporting its participation over the three day race weekend, in return for unique rewards including the drivers’ boots, car parts and corporate hospitality.

Companies and individuals can get involved on the Crowdcube website, http://www.crowdcube.com/caterham, by pledging the amount they wish to give – from just £10. Supporters will receive rewards depending on the amount they pledge, including a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get their name on the Caterham F1 car competing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The opportunity to support Caterham F1’s return will close when it reaches its £1.5m funding target or on Friday 14 November, whichever is sooner. If the team does not hit its target by next Friday, all money will be returned to supporters.

The Caterham F1 team is undergoing a restructuring process and Caterham Sports Limited went into administration in October. As a result its cars were not on the grid at the US Grand Prix. It will also miss the Brazilian Grand Prix, but plans to be back for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Finbarr O’Connell, Caterham Sports Limited administrator and interim Caterham F1 Team Principal, said: “We are working non-stop to get the Caterham F1 Team back racing and one of our most useful, innovative and effective options right now is crowdfunding. We want to get as many sponsors and fans as possible involved this week and make our comeback something we can all be part of. This team deserves a future and I’m sure that there are plenty of fans and companies out there that agree with us, so I can’t think of a better way to get us all together and show our support to the team than this one, the Caterham F1 Team #RefuelCaterhamF1 project.

“In order to make this happen, we’ve teamed-up with Crowdcube, the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform which has raised £45m for more than 150 organisations since 2011. If we don’t hit the target by next Friday, obviously the pledged funds will be returned, but right now we are hopeful for the future of the team and we are confident that the team showing the world that it can race again will lead to a bright future under a new owner on a proper financial footing.”

Darren Westlake, CEO of Crowdcube, said: “It's fantastic for Crowdcube to be able to support an iconic British-owned team in this way; helping Caterham F1 to continue doing what it does best. This is a unique opportunity for motorsport fans to be directly involved in the sport they love, getting behind the team and playing a part in powering them onto the grid - even putting their name on the car.”



-ends-

About Crowdcube
Crowdcube is the UK's leading crowdfunding platform that specializes in helping businesses raise investment. Since 2011, more than 150 organisations have raised £45m from its community of over 100,000 investors. Recent success stories include easyProperty (raised £1.4 million), River Cottage (raised £1 million) and the Eden Project (raised £1.5 million in 24 hours). For more information visit: www.crowdcube.com
 
alright, this is probably daft on my part but I've only been paying attention to F1 again in the last few years and each time they talk about tire changes I wonder why?
I understand if it's wet, but why does F1 care if a driver in on softs or mediums or whatever. Why is there a rule that they have to change them at least once in a race?
 
Why on earth would anyone help crowdfund Caterham when Bernie and CVC could fund it entirely by themselves?
 
utdalltheway said:
alright, this is probably daft on my part but I've only been paying attention to F1 again in the last few years and each time they talk about tire changes I wonder why?
I understand if it's wet, but why does F1 care if a driver in on softs or mediums or whatever. Why is there a rule that they have to change them at least once in a race?
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Adds an unpredictable and changing factor. Another, somewhat articifial, way to make racing more interesting.
 
utdalltheway said:
alright, this is probably daft on my part but I've only been paying attention to F1 again in the last few years and each time they talk about tire changes I wonder why?
I understand if it's wet, but why does F1 care if a driver in on softs or mediums or whatever. Why is there a rule that they have to change them at least once in a race?
Click to expand...

Soft tyres have more grip and are usually the faster tyre but don't last as long as medium/hard tyres do in a race. By making the drivers use both tyres it can make for more interesting race as teams need to work out when its best to be on the faster or slower tyre per say. Best example of this being interesting would be Bahrain this year with Hamilton and Rosberg on different tyres, which meant Rosberg was slower during the middle part of the race as he was on the harder compound, but on the softer during the end of the race, meaning he was much faster than Hamilton at the end who was on the opposite tyre.
 
I have a horrible feeling that Nico will win the title in the last race.
 
SilentWitness said:
I have a horrible feeling that Nico will win the title in the last race.
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I hope he does. I respect Lewis and he's been the best driver this season but the irony of him losing out in the final race would be brilliant.
 
Who's the commentator on BBC? I know it's DC and some other guy, but that other guy is a fecking idiot.
 
matherto said:
Why on earth would anyone help crowdfund Caterham when Bernie and CVC could fund it entirely by themselves?
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Feck knows- cheap-ish way to get a VIP seat at the grand prix? Not exactly sustainable.
 
Can you imagine Lewis winning tomorrow and Rosberg failing to score. Then the opposite on the final race. Rosberg would win by 1pt yet Lewis would lead 11 wins to 5. Absolute joke.
 
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Think Eason was the one reporting that Lotus, Sauber and Force India were going to boycott last week's race... Hopefully he's wrong out about that too, I think it'd be a bad move.

As for today I'm worried about Lewis having a pumped up (and usually fast starting) Massa behind him going into turn 1. If he can make it past turn 4 in second place I'll be delighted.
 
It's never easy with Hamilton, ever. Logic says two 2nd places is easy in this car but something always happens, I expect it and therefore I'm more surprised when it doesn't happen.

Only Hamilton could win 10 races in a season and not walk the title.
 
Blister for hamilton apparently but everyone looks like they are having similar problems.

They just said the whole field driving around 1.16's which basically means everyone is driving to what the tyres can do.

F1...
 
Tyre management, Fuel management and all the money troubles, F1 needs a bit of a shake up.
F1 should just be about raw speed and how fast you can get the car round the track , not reeling it in became the tyre's wont last for long or you need to save fuel.
 
pauldyson1uk said:
Tyre management, Fuel management and all the money troubles, F1 needs a bit of a shake up.
F1 should just be about raw speed and how fast you can get the car round the track , not reeling it in became the tyre's wont last for long or you need to save fuel.
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Yep.

If it's the same shit a few races into next season I'll be tuning out.
 
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