Lehdistötiedotteet - Formula 1 Season 12 Manager interview

Formula 1 Season 12 Manager interview

Greetings race fans! It's time for our first Formula 1 press release in S12. Last season we spoke to several key drivers in Formula 1, Indycar and Nascar. Their insight, goals and dreams made for an exciting read. This press release however isn't focused on the hotshot aces who risk it all on the race track. This time we speak to the managers who own the Formula 1 teams. It should be noted that leading a Formula 1 team is often not a job one person can manager. So more than one team has several managers who are active with managing the team.

We reached out to all of the teams and asked the managers 5 questions in total. We'll look at each question separately and finally reflect on everything we've learned.

We're very grateful that so many representatives of the teams took the time to answer our questions. Now lets delve once more into the world of Formula 1!

Question 1: We're four races into the season. How has season 12 gone for your team so far?

JordanF1: Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 (First)
We are really optimistic for this season. We've built a really good car and we managed to get a step forward. PSG has made a good work at this point and Tök is getting the points that are needed to try to win the constructor's championship. With little chance we'll manage to get a new crown.

KazikluBey : Jordan Grand Prix (third)
We know that we're behind a little with power of our car but that was the plan. We also have in our plan noticeable improvement in the second half of the season so we're satisfied with course of this season right now.

Messi4h: McLaren (fifth)
Sadly we couldn't close the gap to the teams in front of us. Part of the reason for that is our car, we have the 5th best car and this reflects in the standings. Otherwise we are quite happy with the latest results as we reach the top 10 on a regular basis.

Looni: Williams F1 Team (seventh)
Williams is doing slightly better than we expected. We have already been able to score points in two races and our car is not complete yet. We have taken a bit more aggressive line on development and it seems to be paying off. Our car is a lot faster than on the last season even if the time for development work has been lesser.

Fixboy: Trabant F1 Racing Team (eight)
Trabant started optimistic into S12 and, although having not scored points so far, is still optimistic to repeat the results of last seasons. We closed the gap to the top a little bit more and hope, with the coming evolution of the S12 Trabant, to be a contender for points. Our biggest concern so far are the Qualifying results, we need to get better there, otherwise it will always be a struggle in the race.

Sl2208: Team Europe F1 (tenth)
It has been both up and down. Latest we got a 9th position, but also received a couple of 11th places. We have a strategy for this and the next seasons and as this season goes along, I'm sure that we will get a lot more points.

Edis10: LKR (eleventh)
Well to be honest, i thought LKR would be closer to the top 5 teams. The chassis is better than ever. So I expected, if someone of the elite teams DNFs we would be able to get some points right away. Right now it seems, that we will face a difficult season once again. Also the better driver has some activity problems, so points are out of reach at the moment.
The problem is clearly the poor performance of the engine. LKR was a pioneer. We were the first team to have an own engine right away. The outcome was not overwhelming. Too much money invested, too much time also. Now everyone has an own engine and is much faster than we are. The same is true for the other mechanical parts. We were kinda of a test team for all others. Once they figured out what and how to do, they did it!
Our reaction is pretty late, but we are currently developing a new engine.
Also we are thinking about a change in the driver lineup.

ArkAngel: HamrHedZ Carriage WerkZ
Season 12 recap . HamrHedZ is extremely happy for our drivers Romadov and Cheever and their great efforts . These Gentlemen are doing a terrific job .
Every achievement we have asked them , they have completed to the fullest of their extent .
We have learned much about the F1 and its structure . Considering we are operating with about 35% of the money the top teams get, we are extremely happy our drivers are giving us the great results .
We are pushing ahead with developments of the variety of parts of the car.

Mal1234: Dem Racing F1 Team
So far pretty happy with season 12 its the best car we have had for the start of the season and lot of development parts will be put on the car as the season goes on. Our engine is lacking speed but we will be building our first engine this season which will fix this problem.

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Red Bull Racing is obviously satisfied with S12. Their teams leads the constructor's championship and Philippe leads the driver's championship. But most of the other teams also appear to be satisfied. Jordan manager KazikluBey states that the Jordan car will improve over the second half of the season. Could this mean that Joran could close the gap?

Edis10 from LKR is the ownly manager who openly speaks about his disappointment. From his words it's clear that LKR and Edis had hoped to score more points than they have so far. He also gives some insight to the sort of decisions team managers have to make and how they impact the chances for a team. But perhaps the fact that Edis is considering to change the driver line up for his team is the biggest news. Clearly nothing is decided. But with hundreds of Formula 1 hopefulls out there, everyone will obviously be following this story very closely.
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Question 2: It looks like the top 5 teams (OMR, Red Bull, Jordan, Mercedes and McLaren) are too fast. Can anyone else close the gap?

JordanF1: Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 (First)
These 5 teams have made a significant step forward and it seems that other teams had some difficulties to follow. But I'm sure their managers will try to reduce the gap.

KazikluBey : Jordan Grand Prix (third)
In future we see OMR, Red Bull and us fighting for victories. In the middle of the pack should be Mercedes, McLaren and maybe Sempre Senna, Europe and WAR. The differences in power of the car should get smaller and quality driver will get bigger impact on the results.

Messi4h: McLaren (fifth)
Team Europe and Sempre Senna invested quite a lot in the last season, they would be my bet to close the gap.

Looni: Williams F1 Team (seventh)
The gap is hard to close, but for now it is not our priority. Our priority is to keep Marussia behind and compete intensively with Senna and Europe. Specially Europe has been sinking a lot of money to their car and, as we predicted, it has really paid off. We did huge improvements before season 11 and Europe did the same for season 12. We have our hands full with this case. There is not time to worry about the top 5.

Fixboy: Trabant F1 Racing Team (eight)
For this and the coming season I can't see any team breaking into the Top 5. These teams have done a tremendous job in the past and continue to do so. Unfortunately for the rest of us. Given the financial imbalances in F1 this might continue for a little longer. However, the Ferrari example clearly shows how quick things can change. There is a pack of ambitious teams chasing the 5 and just waiting to take their place.

Sl2208: Team Europe F1 (tenth)
They are too fast for the rest of us this season. But with our strategy, i think the gap will be closed in a few season. We focus on our self and keep improving each season. Again this year "thedonz" has made a fantastic job in the team and I'm sure that we will be in top 5 in a few seasons.

Edis10: LKR (eleventh)
Simple and short: no! The reason: Employees. Compare their employees in quality and quantity to the rest, and you will know why. There is no way to close the gap, until the other teams employees learn and get better, or until the top employees retire due to age.

ArkAngel: HamrHedZ Carriage WerkZ
No I don't think anyone will "close the gap". At this time there are 3 categories in the F1 standings . The top 5 with the top2 fighting for the championships trophies , the next 5 fighting to stay in the top 10
and then the last 5 fighting to get into the top 10.
We have learned much about the F1 and its structure . And these top teams have figured out what it takes financially to sustain successful teams.
To close the gap other teams will need to make realizations in what those top teams have done to be successful .
It is not going to be easy for us backmarkers but it will take many more seasons of constantly chipping away at it. So maybe in 4 or 5 seasons from now we should be somewhere near the top-10.

Mal1234: Dem Racing F1 Team
Of course they can which team not sure. I can assure you the other 10 team are trying there best to bridge that gap and it will happen after all they are only human and if it bleeds it can be killed.

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Everyone seems to agree that the gap isn't easy to breach. Edis explains that part of the reason the gap is so hard to close is because the higher ranked teams have very talented employees working for them. ArkAngel also adds that it requires a good grasp of the mechanics to drive a team to success. For any of the lower teams to fight their way up the ranks, they'll have to do their homework.

KazikluBey sees Jordan pushing away further from Mercedes and Mclaren and competing with Red Bull and OMR.

KazikuBley, Messi4 from McLaren and Looni from Williams F1 Team all mention Team Europe and Sempre Senna. So those two teams might be the ones to look out for. Team Europe F1 manager Sl2208 contributes much of the success of the team to co-owner 'thedonz'. And states that he is sure that Europe F1 will be in the top 5 in a few seasons. It'll be interesting to see how F1 Europe performs in S13.

Fixboy from Trabant also agrees that it might take some time. But he also mentions the cautionary tale of Ferrari. Who had claimed 3rd in S9 and has now dropped all the way to the bottom. In Formula 1 no one is every truly safe. To quote Mal1234 from DEM: 'If it bleeds it can be killed.'

The fact that so many managers believe it'll take at least seasons for teams to close the gap gives extra support to people who are stating that it's too hard for smaller teams to compete with larger ones. This reporter advices readers to read the recent press release by Tigerman on this issue.

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Question 3: Rumors have been flying around that the Ferrari team is flying blind this season. With the higher management appearing strangely absent. What is your opinion on this matter?

JordanF1: Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 (First)
Honestly, I really do not understand what Ferrari is doing, except sparing money. They should be somewhere with the top teams.

KazikluBey: Jordan Grand Prix (third)
The Ferrari manager doesn't have so much time in his real life right now so he decided to let it as it is and return to work on the team next season.

Messi4h: McLaren (fifth)
I don't think they are flying blind. I think they want to save a ton of money to come back one day. That might be possible with the current shares system in place. This strategy wouldn't be our cup of tea and I'm surprised that they found a driver for it. And Enzo Ferrari must be crying in his grave seeing Ferrari with a Minardi engine. :-)

Looni: Williams F1 Team (seventh)
Ferrari is obviously healing their wounds after many careless financial decisions. Their plan didn’t work and from being number 1 they have fallen to the last place. Without good staff, exact budgeting and commitment they are not going to make a decent come back. Anyway, they have to act fast, because with low team rating their sponsor income will decrease very fast.

Fixboy: Trabant F1 Racing Team (eight)
Well it is a Ferrari issue and is up to the Ferrari shareholders to take action. The management has not done a good job so far, about the reasons for this I could only speculate. But I will leave these speculations to the Press.

Sl2208: Team Europe F1 (tenth)
We have heard some about it, but keep focus on our own team. We want to keep improving and not look at how other teams act.

Edis10: Ljuti Krajišnici Racing (eleventh)
I don´t know what happened to Ferrari. Drastic lost of interest and motivation. They have been good at the beginning, no wonder, they have been one of the most expensive teams. Now they are at the bottom. Not sure if it can get even worse. Of course you never know what the managers are doing, maybe they are busy in other parts or their life, which is much more important.
Maybe a clear statement, if they are interested to continue, or if they need time to overcome situations. If they do not want to continue, retire the team and put it up on market for sale once again. I think there are a lot of new managers interested in becoming owners of a formula 1 team.

ArkAngel: HamrHedZ Carriage WerkZ
Ferrari is playing everyone for fools.
Their strategy is to be a backmarker for several seasons or more build up a large chunk of money and then go balls-to-the-wall for the F1 top-5 .
The top 3 teams have at or over 60 millions Euros to play with . Most of the bottom 6 or so teams are operating with about 25 Million Euros . That is a very large difference.
So I don't see anything wrong in how Ferrari is operating at the moment.
its a shame I can't go and buy that complete team and make it part of HamrHedZ . My bankers says we can afford it.

Mal1234: Dem Racing F1 Team
Not really sure how the Ferrari Team is run as long as we are in front of them on the track I am happy.

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Several managers mention that the Ferrari Team has made mistakes in the past. But a good deal believe there is method to the madness. If the rumors are to be believed Ferrari will be making a come-back next season.

But what if they don't? It's also clear that several managers are interested in buying their own Formula 1 team. S13 could be the make or break season for the team. Ferrari departing Formula 1 would be a shocking twist and probably would make Enzo Ferrari turn over in his grave. (see Messi4h's comment)
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Question 4: Who is your pick for the constructors championship?

JordanF1: Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 (First)
I think the fight will be between OMR, Jordan and Red Bull Vaillante F1.

KazikluBey : Jordan Grand Prix (third)
We expect airtight fight between OMR and RedBull. I personally cheer for RedBull in this one. Mercedes won't be able to defend second place from last season for sure.

Messi4h: McLaren (fifth)
OMR because they have the best package. Although Red Bull improved a lot by signing Tök.

Looni: Williams F1 Team (seventh)
Red Bull

Fixboy: Trabant F1 Racing Team (eight)
OMR

Sl2208: Team Europe F1 (tenth)
Odissea Martini Racing will take the championship.

Edis10: Ljuti Krajišnici Racing (eleventh)
Mercedes has a great car/driver combination, but i guess they will more likely fight for the third position with Jordan and McLaren.
OMR 3-peated last season, they will aim for the quadruple. And they are favorites once again.
But Red Bull has acquired a new and much better driver this season. I think they will battle OMR until the very last race.

So i think it will be like this at the end of the season.
1) OMR
2) Red Bull (very close)
3) Jordan (huge gap to the first 2)
4) Mercedes (close)
5) McLaren

The rest is not so interesting. But as it looks right now, 4 to 6 teams will be very close until the end.

ArkAngel: HamrHedZ Carriage WerkZ
Really the way things are we wish OMR and RedBull the best of luck, and any other team that might figure it out. But in reality Don't know who will win and actually Don't care.

Mal1234: Dem Racing F1 Team
I hoping it is Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 but that Odissea Martini Racing will be hard team to beat.

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Almost everyone agrees that it's going to be between OMR and Red Bull. Since even the experts can't seem to agree on whether OMR or Red Bull will win, it's bound to be close. Manager JordanF1, from Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1, states that Jordan also has a chance to fight for the first. Manager Edis does put Jordan in the top 3, but also state that there'll be a huge gap to the top two teams.
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Question 5: Who is your pick for the drivers championship?

JordanF1: Red Bull Racing Vaillante F1 (First)
I Think the fight will be between André Acarini and PSG Jr. These two drivers have something more than other drivers.

KazikluBey : Jordan Grand Prix (third)
Absolutely Philippe de Saint-Germain Jr. He's the best driver in MRC history.

Messi4h: McLaren (fifth)
This will be a close one, i think PSG will win this season too.

Looni: Williams F1 Team (seventh)
PSG

Fixboy: Trabant F1 Racing Team (eight)
Tough questions, but I think Acarini will win again, after losing last years battle.

Sl2208: Team Europe F1 (tenth)
A. Acarini will take it this year and get revenge from last year.

Edis10: Ljuti Krajišnici Racing (eleventh)
For me the next champion will be the defending one: PSG! He is arguably the best driver in the game, next to Grandi! But Acarini will put up a great fight like last season.

Behind that, Botta and Tök will fight for the podium. I wonder if Grandi will be able to have a shot. I think it depends on his motivation this season. Don´t forget about the strong Jordan drivers and Bum.

So finally i think this will be the standings at the end of the season:

1) PSG
2) Acarini
3) Botta
4) Tök
5) Libor
6) Bum
7) Kaderabek
8) Grandi

Mal1234: Dem Racing F1 Team
I think Philippe de Saint-Germain Jr will as I have always liked this driver even before he started his F1 career.

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The majority of managers name Philippe as the favorite to win S12 and defend the driver's championship. A few believe Andre can reclaim the title.
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So this concludes our lengthy press release about Formula 1. There was a lot to talk about.

The battle between Andre and Philippe and their respective teams.
The possible new driver line up in S13 for LKR.
The improvements to the Jordan cars that could bring the team victories in the coming races.
The expected rise of Team Europe and Sempre Senna.
And the question if Ferrari will be making a come back in S13.

What more developments will we see in the future of Formula 1? Only time can tell. But that won't stop us from speculating about it. Join us next time when we once again dive into the world of Formula 1.

(Thanks again to all the managers that replied to my message and made this possible. You guys are awesome. Seriously. People should go and show your support to these guys!

Also. If you have a topic for the next Formula 1 press release, send me a message and perhaps next time we'll look into your question)