Three Car Teams in F1?
While this story’s main point is the possibility of David Coulthard’s retirement after the 2004 season, (” I don’t intend to retire but nothing’s forever, especially in this sport,”), what caught my eye was this item tagged onto the end.
Another possibility being discussed among Formula One observers is Coulthard remaining with McLaren as part of a three car team in 2005. If the Jaguar sale fails to materialize and one of either Jordan or Minardi fail to answer the bell for the start of next season, several of the sports well-heeled teams could be asked to field a third car under terms of the Concorde agreement.
Obviously “well healed” refers to Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and possibly Toyota. If this turns out to be fact wouldn’t a three car team gain a bigger advantage over their less financially stable field mates? A third car means more opportunity for testing. Testing time that would lengthen the present gap between the “haves” and the “have nots”
Those of us that are not exclusively F1 fans have watched as NASCAR, thru multi-car teams, evolve into a “team sport.” It is no longer possible for single car teams to compete on a regular basis. It remains to be seen if F1 follows suit, but I’ll go on record now as saying it’s a road Bernie shouldn’t turn onto.
