Formula One

:F1 redirects here. For other uses of the abbreviation, see F1 (disambiguation).

The future of Formula One

Main Article: Future of Formula One

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Formula One went through a difficult period in the early 2000s. Viewing figures dropped, and fans expressed their loss of interest due to the dominance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari. At present, the FIA has been taxed with the responsibility of making rules to combat the spiralling costs which affect the smaller teams and to ensure that the sport remains as safe as possible. The sport's rapid expansion into new areas of the globe also leaves some question as to which races will be cut.

Related Topics:
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari - FIA

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Venue changes

In the interest of making the sport truer to its designation as a World Championship, FOM president Bernie Ecclestone has initiated and organized a number of Grands Prix in new countries and continues to discuss new future races. As of 2005, this expansion has resulted in the disappearance of only one race, the Austrian Grand Prix, which was last held in 2003; however, several teams have expressed their preference for a shorter calendar{{ref|Shorter_calendar}}, and the future of such races as the British, French and San Marino Grands Prix has recently fallen into doubt.

Related Topics:
FOM - Bernie Ecclestone - As of 2005 - Austrian Grand Prix - 2003 - British - French - San Marino

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The inaugural Turkish Grand Prix took place in 2005 in IstanbulPark, a Mexican Grand Prix has been planned for 2006{{ref|Mexico}}, and Ecclestone has asserted publicly that F1 will return to South Africa within five years.{{ref|South_Africa}} He has also expressed interest in a Russian Grand Prix in Moscow or St Petersburg in the near future.{{ref|Russia}} The European Union's ratification of laws prohibiting tobacco advertising went into effect on July 31, 2005, providing another incentive for the heavily tobacco-sponsored sport to find venues outside of Europe.{{ref|EU_tobacco}}

Related Topics:
Turkish Grand Prix - IstanbulPark - Mexican Grand Prix - South Africa - Moscow - St Petersburg - European Union - Tobacco - July 31 - 2005

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The future of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also in doubt after only six cars started the 2005 race due to concerns about the safety of the supplied Michelin tyres. The US Grand Prix has been offically scheduled to occur again at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Related Topics:
United States Grand Prix - Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 2005 race - Michelin

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Rule changes

In the interest of safety, the FIA instituted a number of rule changes at the start of the 2005 season, including restrictions on the changing of tyres and on downforce. In an attempt to conserve costs, a new rule requires each engine to be used for two consecutive races. These two issues, safety and costs, are paramount in all rule-change discussions, and the FIA has made public its intention to continue to modify the rules with these goals in mind.

Related Topics:
2005 season - Downforce

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The current qualifying format, which consists of a single flying lap on race fuel, replaced one which was used for the first part of 2005 season (until the 2005 European Grand Prix) which involved two separate sessions, one on Saturday and a second on Sunday morning, with the starting grid drawn up according to the fastest aggregate time of each driver. This was ditched after complaints from spectators, who felt that the Saturday session was meaningless, and broadcasters, who did not want to broadcast so much Formula One on a Sunday. Both the teams and the drivers are still unhappy with the qualifying system, however, and several alternative formats have been suggested for use from 2006 onwards.{{ref|quali_proposal}}

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Beginning with the 2006 season, the power of engines will be decreased. A 2.4L V8 will be used instead of the 3.0L V10. However, some teams will be allowed to continue using the V10 with a rev limiter in order to cut costs. In the long run, the FIA intends to introduce greater restrictions on testing and the introduction of standardised electronic units and tyres.

Related Topics:
V8 - V10

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Small teams

The Ford Motor Company's decision to pull out of Formula One exposed the vulnerabilities of some small teams. Jaguar Racing was sold to Red Bull and is now known as Red Bull Racing.

Related Topics:
Ford Motor Company - Jaguar Racing - Red Bull - Red Bull Racing

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Jordan and Minardi both relied on Ford's Cosworth engines. Jordan now has a deal to use Toyota engines, while Minardi continues to use Cosworth engines under Cosworth's new owners.

Related Topics:
Jordan - Minardi - Cosworth - Toyota

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For 2006, Jordan will be rebadged as Midland F1. In June 2005, BMW bought a majority stake in Sauber and intends to run the team as a factory entry in 2006. The Williams team will cease their partnership with BMW as a result, instead opting to run Cosworth engines for 2006. Arguably, the final small team disappeared with the September 2005 purchase of Minardi by Red Bull. In 2006, the Faenza-based team will be run as a junior, though separate, team to Red Bull Racing.

Related Topics:
Midland F1 - Sauber

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