A further change will see the introduction of an optional budget cap of £30m, which will reduce some teams' spending by 90% – an attempt to make F1 more accessible to newcomers. Teams can choose to spend more than the prescribed £30m, but must then operate under more restrictive technical rules – and theoretically risk having a slower car.
Smaller teams like Minardi, which bravely tried to take on the giants in the past, may at last be able to compete more evenly.
Available Now! Forza Minardi! by Simon Vigar.After 20 years of glorious 'failure', the best-loved team in Formula One is consigned to the history books, and it deserves one of its own. Minardi had a successful time in Formula Two until the tiny Italian outfit was ready to hit the big time in 1985. It somehow survived in F1's shark-infested waters as bigger teams (Lotus, Arrows, Tyrrell) were dragged under. They have a truly international fan-base and are the 'second team' of most F1 devotees. Minardi is held in such affection as everyone loves the plucky underdog – Minardi's annual budget would have lasted one month at the other Italian team up the road. Yet, from its plant in Faenza near Bologna, Minardi has produced cars that qualify, sometimes score points and often lead the way in their technology. Gian Carlo Minardi also developed a reputation as a fabulous talent-spotter – Fisichella, Trulli, Webber and the youngest ever World Champion Alonso all started their F1 careers with Minardi. For the last five years, Minardi was owned by controversial Australian tycoon Paul Stoddart. Cast as David against the Goliath of F1's governing body, Stoddart constantly hit the headlines as he tried to get a more equal share of the sport's billions. Ultimately, he failed and Red Bull has now bought the team. Despite a petition of 15,000 names the Minardi name has vanished from the F1 grid and true motorheads miss it. This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 140 unique photos complete this revolutionary tale.
Another little team that made it big in Formula 1 is coming soon from Veloce.
Forthcoming The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 by Christopher Hilton.Small, unfashionable, short of money – and the last of its kind to become a force in Grand Prix racing. The story of Toleman is not only fascinating and improbable, it has never been told before. Now it is, and through the eyes of the people who lived it. This was the team that took Ayrton Senna into Formula 1, to which he responded by creating a masterpiece of movement at Monaco. It is still talked about. This was the team that launched Derek Warwick, one of the most popular and accomplished men in British motor sport. This was the team that brought Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s design genius, to sudden prominence. This was the team that enabled Pat Symonds, Renault’s race tactician, to construct his career. Click here for more info.
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