Mario on Michael expanding to F1

[atrackforumfan]

http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Michael-Andretti-eyes-F1-customer-cars-father,66480.html

[kevin99]

I hope that doesn't happen. Michael's last venture into f1 didn't go very well.

[Nigel Red5]

Unfortunately, F1 has shot down customer cars everytime they have tried it. The best he could probably hope for would be to buy another Dallara design ala HRT etc.

[MichaelP]

"I find the idea of a blue Ferrari overtaking a red Ferrari very interesting," he said. "It would give formula one a whole new appeal."

Except that ain't gonna happen even if you do have customer cars.

[Inline]

Bring back NART.

[FormulaFox]

F1 needs customer cars, IMO. It can only strengthen the field, even if the customers are getting second-tier equipment. A second-tier Ferrari will be faster than anything Caterham can pump out.

[skcoop80]

F1 is just as much about building your own car than it is about racing. As much as customer cars would be fun, its not what F1 is all about.

[Inline]

F1 is just as much about building your own car than it is about racing. As much as customer cars would be fun, its not what F1 is all about.

Up until Bernie, Ron Dennis and Frank Williams became powerful customer cars were not uncommon in F1. It was originally for the world driving championship only later was the constructors championship added.

[ptclaus98]

F1 is just as much about building your own car than it is about racing. As much as customer cars would be fun, its not what F1 is all about.

It should be about the constructors interpretation of a certain car within the given formula, not necessarily building a car from scratch. It wasn't about the latter until the late 2000s and and sport suffers.

[THE BEAR]

If anyone could do it, Michael might be the person to give it a shot. His ability to financially piece things together might be just the ticket. Not sure what it would cost--maybe $50 Million for an entry level program, but riding the Andretti name and putting Marco in the seat might just get it done. Wonder if this had anything to do with the Andretti interest in Montoya, who obviously has a ton of experience in F-1 ?


But Mario...a Blue Ferrari? Not during your lifetime, nor mine. Just the thought is enough to turn the stomach.

[Hitokiri]

Why would anyone want to race in F1 just to lose? Unless you have a HUGE budget or some manufacturer's backing - I can't understand why anyone would want to be in F1. At least in Indycar it's been proven that on any given week there are a multitude of drivers/teams that can win. F1 not so much.

[sejarzo]

Why would anyone want to race in F1 just to lose? Unless you have a HUGE budget or some manufacturer's backing....

Makes no sense to me. The amount of cash one would need to run a back-of-the-pack "participation ribbon" program for two cars in F1 would fund 7 or 8 highly competitive Indycar entries.

[rrrr]

...Not sure what it would cost--maybe $50 Million for an entry level program, but riding the Andretti name and putting Marco in the seat might just get it done...

LOL...is that you, Grandpa?

[WillMazeo]

"I find the idea of a blue Ferrari overtaking a red Ferrari very interesting," he said. "It would give formula one a whole new appeal."

Except that ain't gonna happen even if you do have customer cars.

Exactly. I remember reading once that just for having a Ferrari engine you must let their driver pass what is going to happen when you buy their chassis?

[Nigel Red5]

"I find the idea of a blue Ferrari overtaking a red Ferrari very interesting," he said. "It would give formula one a whole new appeal."

Except that ain't gonna happen even if you do have customer cars.

They have supplied Toro Rosso and Sauber for many years, they sold the 333SP to customers, they basically sold A1GP a field of F2004's and IIRC, the last time customer cars had any traction, Ferrari was onboard. Ferrari has been a racing company that sells street and customer cars since it was founded.When they have been allowed to.