German Car Zone

Originally Posted by martinbo

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you both EnI and IE. I feel that this is a very narrow-minded view of motorsport in the modern idiom.

The levels of sophistication in terms of modern automotive technology, finance, supply chain logistics, OEM outsourcing, software, hardware, electrics, electronics, materials construction, safety requirements, spectatorship, media coverage, marketing, advertising, physical fitness of driver, telemmetry, teamwork, race simulation and strategy modelling - fark I could go on and on - necessitates a completely different approach to the governance, legislation and management of any form of modern motorsport. There are simply far too many parameters and influences to control in the interests of competitive sport compared with the supposed glory days of clunky Alfa Romeos and Ferraris in the 19-voetsek-years. [There's a nice South Africanism for you... ]

The science behind motorsport continues to yield real-world benefits. Such is the pace of technological progress that it's up to a governing body to ratify and implement rules that support motorsport as a sport first and foremost and not some showcase for a bunch of arrogant car makers who know nothing about competing in Formula One as a team rather than a brand.

Being the governing body of a motorsport series has to be one of the toughest and most involved responsibilities out there. The enormity of the equilibrium dilemma facing motorsport, its governing bodies and spectatorship in the 21st century is, simply and unfairly, unrecognised by most.

Originally Posted by EnI

We got quite some interesting stuff from F1: active suspension, advanced turbo-tech, telematics, expertise in light-weight construction & materials, active aerodynamics, engine engineering know-how, tire development etc.

IMO even more is possible in the case F1 becomes a carmaker's lab - and still being interesting for the viewers & fans.