In the April issue of Motor Sport magazine, we printed our 11-point ‘manifesto for change’ (below). As Ferrari’s Luca di Montezemolo calls for a forum of F1 leaders to begin talks about the future direction of the sport, we’re asking you to support our ideas.

We’ve already sent a copy of the April issue direct to Luca – but now we need your help.

Please read our outline for a better future for Formula 1 (for the full version please see www.motorsportmagazine.com) and sign the petition.

Commercial

1) In the event of the 100-year deal being unstitched, commercial ownership switches to the teams. Each team takes a franchise, the TV/race hosting revenues are split as in NFL football so that every team at worst gets to break even – and then there are bonuses for success on top of the basic.

2) If the 100-year deal remained in place, then the lions’ share of revenue should still go to the teams – making the sport self-sustaining. As an order-of-magnitude example: the sport currently generates about $1.5 billion per year. Give each of the current 11 teams $100 million of that. That still leaves change of about $400 million per year for the owners.

3) Whichever of the above models is adopted, it should be hand-in-hand with a budget cap that equates to the income share (so $100 million using the above example). This should glide downwards by a set amount each year, creating greater profits for the teams in the long term, making them more recession-proof in the future and less reliant upon big money deals and big business.

4) Circuits that are deemed desirable for the sport’s fan base, but which do not enjoy government subsidy, should be allowed a significant chunk of the income (accepting the sport’s reduced takings), allowing them to make good profits even with relatively cheap tickets.

5) A maximum of 15 grands prix per season (again accepting this would reduce the income generated). A core of traditional venues would be on the calendar every year, others would rotate.

For the full version please see www.motorsportmagazine.com

Technical/sporting

1) We would propose retaining the current hybrid engine formula and its associated fuel flow and fuel capacity limits. But we would remove many of the prescriptive limitations – probably including the V6 format – and freezes. While this would potentially increase the expense, the cost cap would still have to be respected, thereby putting greater emphasis on technical ingenuity outside that made possible only by unlimited research budgets.

2) Creating a technically free formula with current standards of safety is not the work of a moment: it must not overpower human ability to remain conscious at the lateral cornering limits without a g-force suit and still has to allow the possibility of on-track overtaking. Total available downforce would have to be somehow limited, but not its efficiency.  Stability control, traction control and ABS braking would remain on the banned list.

3) Tyre wars would be welcomed. They are a part of the technical development and one of the most powerful ways ever discovered of altering the competitive status suddenly and comprehensively. It would also rid the sport of tyres that limit those capable of driving faster, harder and longer than their rivals.

4) The end of codified driver penalties. Calls would be made by the stewards on an ad-hoc basis, continuing to use the expertise of ex-drivers. But making set penalties for specific offences invariably results in the stewards being obliged to apply the regulation just because it’s there – even when it’s totally inappropriate.

5) We’d propose a designated ‘new driver’ team that runs four cars - all for rookies selected by the FIA on merit from lower formulae.

6) Graded feeder formulae with cost limits, standard engines, maybe control tyres but technical freedoms, to bring on new engineering blood. This would not include a standard chassis.

For the full version please see www.motorsportmagazine.com

Human

1) No pits-to-driver communication - not even by pit board. We want the driver to have to work out what he needs; we do not want him driving by numbers.

2) Absolutely no team PR at the circuit. Drivers and team members would be allowed to say anything they want – penalties for any team found to be interfering in this would be swingeing. TV driver interviews would be conducted fresh out the car at the end of the race – in the pitlane – and not with a bland questioner.

For the full version please see www.motorsportmagazine.com