Formula 1 introduces fuel efficiency as a competitive performance differentiator!

F1 is in shit. At least that's what the doom-mongers are claiming following the sudden exit of Honda recently. With the world being in the grip of an economic recession even the biggest companies are struggling to justify the $200 million annually that it costs to compete.

With this as a backdrop the F1 teams and the ruling body of the sport met last week to agree some radical cost cutting measures. Some of these have the potential to deliver environmental benefit as a nice side effect.

First up there is the general reduction in power hungry and environmentally damaging development work - wind tunnels have been limited and testing is banned during the season. Hardly an environmental benefit but a reduction in harm we'll take at the moment.

But, and here is the biggie, from 2010 refuelling during races will be banned. This means that those teams with efficient engines will be able to run lighter cars and should out-perform their heavier rivals. Think about that, the collective brainpower of formula 1 engineers working towards more efficient engines, no doubt unlocking techniques that can filter down to road cars as F1 has traditionally done in the past. Of course we suggested as much should happen ages ago.

What have we done?

Amusing headline spotted

Earth Dream not to blame for Honda exit

Yeap, Honda quit F1 motorsport and it's our fault.

Big up our bad selves.

Another Earth Dream

It isn't just us and Honda F1 who find ourselves having Earth Dreams, oh no. When perusing a free CD from the cover of UK periodical Metal Hammer we noticed a track by Austrian symphonic metal act Edenbridge who had a track featured from their forthcoming (debut?) album MyEarthDream.

The track itself is in the post-Evanescence female fronted classical influenced style popular with mainland European acts at the moment, and having not heard the rest of the album we here at the other earthdream aren't sure if there is any correlation between the message on this concept album and the agenda of our little corner of the web.

What does seem likely however is that with Edenbridge guitarist and keyboard player Lanvall listing Formula 1 motorsport as his hobby there is probably some influence from the Honda positive marketing initiative of the same name.