Imagine… You’re at a great party that happens every year, it’s the best party in the world and people would literally do anything to get into the party. It’s expensive to be there, but worth it…and deep down you love how it makes you look exclusive.

Then one year, you notice that a couple of the partystarters aren’t there (let’s say their names are Ford and Honda), then you speak to some of the other guys who normally are at the party (let’s say one of them is called Toyota) and they tell you“I’m thinking about not doing this next year…the benefits aren’t as good as they used to be”.

Then you open up your email this morning and you read that another one of the coolest guys at the party (BWW anyone?) has told everyone, they won’t be coming to the party anymore.

How would you feel?

The party could be at the Playboy Mansion but if there’s no Playmates going to be there – why should you go?

That’s what has happened (and continues to happen) to Formula 1.

“It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis. Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer,’ said the organization in a statement.”

You know the “crisis” must be bad when the parallel universe that is F1, normally unaffected by anything, cannot keep up it’s luxurious ways technically and socially!

We covered it in depth here before - but let’s say it again!

We know that the automotive sector has had bailouts, subsidies, nationalisation, tax cuts etc – everything possible in an attempt to make us want to buy new cars.

New cars? We’re not even buying 2nd hand cars!!

Leasing, or even buying back leased cars, is what most people seem to be doing!

The carmakers have been trying to put off the inevitable – they are going to be obselete soon.

From a consumer’s point of view;

- more people are cycling, using motorbikes/mopeds
- there seems to be more improvements/investment in public transport
- more charges and tolls for driving into cities
- nowhere to park
- parking costs are high

The writing has been on the wall for some time and they are not creative enough to find a way out of it.

When you add to that some utterly crap and boring advertising;

Is there any wonder that consumers are not inspired?

Even Top Gear has pretty much given up on reviewing cars and is basically now a comedy show (a good one at that).

But there is very little inspiration for many consumers to drive – and Formula 1 is partly responsible.

F1 got boring!

“I’ll usually sit down to watch the start of a Grand Prix but after a few laps I find I can’t watch any more and switch off. It’s that bad.”

That’s the ex World Champ Nigel Mansell speaking in 2004!

Bernie Ecclestone the know all, say all, end all of F1 will now start his speech of how the teams ending will be replaced by new teams. At that is true, but in the surprisingly mega conservative business world of fast cars on tracks, it’s very hard to see how they can be as alluring as the ones leaving.

Put on top of that the ever changing rules about engines, design, spending cap and so on and so on. I’m sure Mr. Ecclestone sees it as a way to keep his league fresh and interesting. But to the average viewer it not only looks kinda desperate, it’s also looks like a man hellbent on keeping the mice in line.

No surprice really when you think back a month or so…

“The Formula One commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, has stoked up controversy by claiming that Adolf Hitler was a man who “was able to get things done“.

Many teams have had their share of problems over the years, with the managerial style of Ecclestone. But even he can’t feel too sure in the now, ever changing world that is F1.

In the end the big question must be. If you’re BMW is even worth your while to still be a part of F1 circus that is on it’s way to change into something you’ve never signed up to part of, especially when you look at how the financial world for everyone, and in particular your customers, is changing.

Here’s your sign!

BANDIT