TBK-Light.com

Because quite a few teams already have sponsorship arrangements with other timepiece makers.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Exactly. But if Bernie says it'll happen, then it will happen. He won't give a shit about deals that teams have with watch makers.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Usually the sponsors have a say. Moet used to give the driver with the most poles a massive bottle of champagne in a ceremony at the end of the season - Hill got one in 1996 as shown on the official review. I know one driver who would be quite motivated if that was the prize...

Also don't/didn't DHL sponsor the Most Fastest Laps award?

Yes they do. The driver gets a trophy - this year it was Vettel.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

I agree. Whilst it won't do any harm, its not really dealing with any problems that F1 faces. Might be a little more interesting if it was a bit more substantial - perhaps not additional points for the driver but maybe giving some sort of financial reward to the team or something like that?

I think the expression you're looking for is... "papering over cracks in the wall" or perhaps "trying to polish a turd".

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Yeah, that's better than polishing a turd

I mean, we have a situation where Lotus is relying on massive money being injected, Sauber and Force India reliant on pay drivers [although Force India always argue otherwise], Williams using PDVSA money to fund Massa in the hope of finding Brazilian sponsors, Marussia in dire straights [supposedly] and Caterham needing 10th next year or that's their financial model fucked [and Fernandes isn't too pleased with F1's business model], Mercedes going down the road of every previous [failed] manufacturer team in terms of structure while Red Bull has two teams that they could drop in a heartbeat once they get bored of the sport.

But yeah, woo, trophy for most poles!

Teams struggling financially is nothing new, but costs are needlessly spiralling out of control and so little is being done to solve the problem that eventually, there'll be a point of no return unless something disastrous happens. There's no longer the possibility of a GP2 team trying to enter F1 (as might have happened with F3000 teams in the 1980s) because of the expense - look how long it's taken Caterham/Marussia to progress (and if they don't in 2014, then what does that say?). I still think the best hope for a new team is McLaren/Honda having a B-team that they can run out of Milton Keynes. Perfect situation if Honda really wants it.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Like Dieter Recken (sp?) mentioned in a recent article, it is scandalous that CVC is taking in excess of $550m per year out of Formula One yet there are teams struggling financially.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

but as stated before.... "woooh!! trophy for most poles!!"

Well that's capitalism for you.

Exactly. But so long as the prawn sandwich brigade can turn up in Monaco and flaunt their wealth, fuck the teams eh?

It is comical how the sport operates. Others aren't better, but it's difficult to think of a top sport in the world with so many structural flaws and one with such a potential tipping point. It nearly happened in 2004 but maybe that wasn't warning enough.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Sorry, got it wrong - this was for most race wins, not poles

Agreed with Phil too

I also think the FIA/FOM is missing out massively on the Internet - I know they have rights restrictions etc to do with Youtube but compared the amount of Twitter followers the F1 account has to the likes of the Premier League or NBA etc. I think F1 has 650,000 followers - others have up to 10m. That's huge.

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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

I think there is a misplaced arrogance with F1. "We're the best and always be the best and you fans should be grateful for us giving you this."

It's not arrogance, it is utter delusions of grandeur.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

Absolutely. Pinnacle of motorsport, my arse.

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Check out the Touring Car Driver Database! (if you'd be so kind)
Motorsport playlists on YouTube

youre joking, right?

FOM is ignoring the internet because right now it doesn't need it. At least in the UK F1 can still attract a bidding war over the rights to coverage, no other motorsport (except MotoGP kind of) can attract that sort of attention. It won't last but F1 isn't at the point of needing the internet to sustain interest.

F1 doesn't need the internet? Well that right there shows you how antiquated the sport is and broken it's business model really is.

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BTCC Pick Em's Champion 2010
Formula Fun Cup Champion 2013
http://www.the-fastlane.co.uk

because all Rolex doing in China, and Swis made its just a legend

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