budgefrankly

The GMA T.50 sort of undercuts that argument a little, as it uses a largely similar engine, with a similarly lightweight body, and by all accounts is extremely reliable.

It’s true the aero is less complex, but I don’t think it’s the aero that makes Valkyries fail in such numbers.

Over at the SSO Report website they’ve documented the Valkyrie’s journey over the years. Aston got to a point where they lost money on each one delivered, so they tried to minimise costs throughout the manufacturing run by simplifying after the fact, and squeezing their subcontractor Multimatic.

That and fraudulently not paying the contracted profit share to their partners in the project (the reason all mid-engine Astons are currently on hold).

You can see why Newey launched a second attempt to make his dream car, but this time in house at Red Bull.

I don’t think money would have been the only issue: Newey is already a millionaire.

It would be about control and quality of life.

Ferrari has been famously political for most of its existence: the brief interlude when Schumacher, Brawn and Todt had autonomy was an exception in the last 50 years.

Ferrari is also decidedly based in Italy, and it’s unlikely Adrian could have been as hands-on as he wanted from the UK office; and less likely still that he’d want to base himself in Italy.

So he’d never have had the control or autonomy he wanted; and life in Italy probably is less appealing to him than life in Buckinghamshire.

Aston meanwhile is based down the road from his current home, has top tier facilities, and there’s a promise he’ll have autonomy (we’ll have to see if Stroll can keep to this promise).

What’s remarkable to me is that in the end, despite preparing for a South African retirement, — complete with yacht and home near the in-laws — it appears he just can’t let go of F1

Except that’s exactly what she did. The first time Bross Bagels collapsed she formed a second “phœnix” company and bought all of the bankrupt Bross Bagel’s assets from the receiver for £18,000 and then reopened, writing off the original Bross Bagels debts.

The only laws that exist are those that are enforced, and at there’s no budget to enforce the law against such mid-level bankruptcies

If it does, then Schumacher was frequently a half-championship winner too.

It’s the reality of F1

He’s beaten him more often than not in the first half of the season to substantially lead him in the championship.

That’s enough to earn team support in the second half.