Some time ago we used to say: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." In other words, there were once profits to be made in racing for car manufacturers because winning helped sell cars. Winning a race on Sunday meant selling more cars on Monday morning.
It's not really the case anymore, is it? If it were Renault would be drowning in a pool of its own money thanks to Sebastian Vettel's three world titles. Citroën employees would be blowing their noses in €20 bills, looking at Sebastien Loeb's humble nine World Rally Championship crowns. Oh! And every American, judging by last year's Indy 500 winner, would be driving a Honda.
The simple fact of the matter is motorsport success, as unglamorous as it may sound, doesn't sell anymore. Technological progress does.
For the past few seasons, engine development has been “frozen” in Formula 1. No wonder so many manufacturers have left the series over the years.
Next year, the sport will be resting on three engine suppliers: Ferrari, Renault, and Mercedes. That’s it…
On the other hand, endurance racing seems to be on the up. There is still a huge buzz around the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which carmakers simply cannot ignore nowadays.
F1 teams would blush looking at the Le Mans entry list that boasts an astonishing nine manufacturers (if you count all classes and GT cars): Audi, Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Nissan, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, and Viper.
Another reason why everyone is turning their attention to endurance racing is costs. A World Endurance Championship (WEC) season may not be cheap -- we're talking tens of millions of dollars here -- but it’s still cheaper than F1 where the figures are just ridiculously high.
Let's not forget, too, that endurance regulations allow for ground-breaking technologies. Watch a WEC race and you will see hybrid-, hydrogen-, electric- and such-powered cars actually race on the track.
Whether it all translates well in the showrooms come Monday remains to be seen. Let's remember, after all, that there is only one winner Sunday, and a whole bunch of losers. That much hasn't changed.
It's not really the case anymore, is it? If it were Renault would be drowning in a pool of its own money thanks to Sebastian Vettel's three world titles. Citroën employees would be blowing their noses in €20 bills, looking at Sebastien Loeb's humble nine World Rally Championship crowns. Oh! And every American, judging by last year's Indy 500 winner, would be driving a Honda.
The simple fact of the matter is motorsport success, as unglamorous as it may sound, doesn't sell anymore. Technological progress does.
For the past few seasons, engine development has been “frozen” in Formula 1. No wonder so many manufacturers have left the series over the years.
Next year, the sport will be resting on three engine suppliers: Ferrari, Renault, and Mercedes. That’s it…
On the other hand, endurance racing seems to be on the up. There is still a huge buzz around the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which carmakers simply cannot ignore nowadays.
F1 teams would blush looking at the Le Mans entry list that boasts an astonishing nine manufacturers (if you count all classes and GT cars): Audi, Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Nissan, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, and Viper.
Another reason why everyone is turning their attention to endurance racing is costs. A World Endurance Championship (WEC) season may not be cheap -- we're talking tens of millions of dollars here -- but it’s still cheaper than F1 where the figures are just ridiculously high.
Let's not forget, too, that endurance regulations allow for ground-breaking technologies. Watch a WEC race and you will see hybrid-, hydrogen-, electric- and such-powered cars actually race on the track.
Whether it all translates well in the showrooms come Monday remains to be seen. Let's remember, after all, that there is only one winner Sunday, and a whole bunch of losers. That much hasn't changed.
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| Photo: Audi Motorsport |