2014 Draft Calendar

[Mike E]

Austria, Mexico and Russia in, Valencia out. No Noo Joisy.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109646

DRAFT 2014 CALENDAR

Date	GP
March 16	Australia (Melbourne)
March 23	Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6	China (Shanghai)
April 13	Korea* (Korea International Circuit)
April 27	Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 11	Spain (Barcelona)
May 25	Monaco (Monaco)
June 8	Canada (Montreal)
June 22	Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 6	Britain (Silverstone)
July 20	Germany (Hockenheim)
July 27	Hungary (Budapest)
August 24	Belgium (Spa)
September 7	Italy (Monza)
September 21	Singapore (Marina Bay)
October 5	Japan (Suzuka)
October 19	Russia* (Sochi)
October 26	Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 9	Mexico* (Mexico City)
November 16	USA (Circuit of the Americas)
November 30	Brazil (Interlagos)

[ace007]

I hope Mexico is for real!

[Bononi]

The asterisks means TBC ??

[chillibowl]

yeah not surprised that Korea is still to be confirmed, but Mexico and Russia are still TBC (to be completed)

[ScotsBrutesFan]

The order doesn't look bad, but I wasn't really expecting radical changes, it's some of the gaps which confuse.

I know teams don't like back-to-back due to being away from base for best part of 2 weeks, but when you factor in travel times the following doesn't really make sense

Belgium
2weeks
Italy
2weeks
Singapore
2weeks
Japan
2 weeks
Russia
1 week
Abu Dhabi

How about
Belgium and Italy back-to-back
3 weeks back to base and prep for flyaway- time at home for team
Singapore and Japan back-to-back
3 weeks back at base to prep for the Russia and Abu Dhabi

[Mr Pink]

What's the state of the Mexico City circuit? Are any changes beeing made? Can Peraltada be used?

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Its the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit as far as I know.

Am I the only person who hopes for the a return of the South African Grand Prix? If Brazil get one, why not South Africa? Both suffer similar problems, deal with them in similar ways, and have sections of the economy that are BOOMING. Plus, the motorsport heritage there is far larger than South Korea, which is too busy worrying about nukes than a good turnout for this year's GP...

[Mr Pink]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Its the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit as far as I know.

Yup, couldn't remember it for some reason.

[Bononi]

IIRC Peraltada can't be used because there's no way to expand the run-off area.

[NaBUru38]

I don't expect the Mexico autodrome to reach F1 standard in 14 months. It's impossible.

21 races is way too many, it kills national motorsport. They should drop Bahrain and Korea to begin with.

[Peralta]

Unfortunately I don't see the Mexican GP ready in time. Too muck work in so little time. Basically they would have to tear down existing paddock area and track. There won't be a paraltada unless they relocated somewhere where there would be substantial run off area (an what's the point of that) so it certainly won't look anything like it was before. 2015 no problem and should really be the target.

[Beetle]

What an interesting schedule - wasn't expecting the Korea date change and certainly wasn't expecting to see Valencia drop out. Regarding Hermanos Rodriguez, there really isn't much room to expand. I don't know how they think they are going to improve/apply with F1 regulations by November 2014. All of the area directly around it is basically warehouses, apartments, and a few dingy-looking neighborhoods. You can't exactly move all of that.

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Its the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit as far as I know.

Am I the only person who hopes for the a return of the South African Grand Prix? If Brazil get one, why not South Africa? Both suffer similar problems, deal with them in similar ways, and have sections of the economy that are BOOMING. Plus, the motorsport heritage there is far larger than South Korea, which is too busy worrying about nukes than a good turnout for this year's GP...

Agreed. South Africa would be wonderful - and there's so much space between the Johannesburg/Pretoria area that is essentially empty and that's wonderful for the construction of a brand-new racetrack. I know Cape Town has taken several cracks at it but that probably won't ever work because of Cape Town's location - it's far away from everything else as far as cities in South Africa. My guess would be if they did host a South African GP, it would be on a new, permanent circuit between Johannesburg and Pretoria. A very exciting concept...

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Agreed. South Africa would be wonderful - and there's so much space between the Johannesburg/Pretoria area that is essentially empty and that's wonderful for the construction of a brand-new racetrack..

I take it you meant around the Johannesburg/Pretoria area, sitting halfway between them is the former F1 circuit of Kyalami

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

I take it you meant around the Johannesburg/Pretoria area, sitting halfway between them is the former F1 circuit of Kyalami

I know it seems silly to construct a whole new circuit just a few miles away from Kyalami, but there'd have to be a major renovation to that track to get it up to F1 standards. Plus, it's even shorter than the Red Bull Ring, and that may just be a problem. However, it is perfectly located.

I will admit, I did NOT know that Kyalami was in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area.

[Peat]

F1 at Mexico City is hilarious.

Perhaps they'll use the 'Stadium Chicane' like Champ Car used:

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Peat

F1 at Mexico City is hilarious.

Perhaps they'll use the 'Stadium Chicane' like Champ Car used:

There are 21 events on the provisional calendar. Three of them are still provisional..... yet to be confirmed. One, at least, is expected to drop away.

I would not be surprised if two of them do, meaning in reality, 19 events in 2014...

[BSchneiderFan]

I think Korea might well go. Disappointing that New Jersey is off, I was looking forward to that one.

[Mr Pink]

Am I the only one whow' kind of hoping that Hermanos Rodriguez will not be "up to F1 standards" but there would be enough money slipping in to Bernies pockets for it to be run anyway? Would be a nice contrast to the sterile Tilkedromes.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Tilke hasn't done too bad a job with the Austin circuit and Sepang, but his circuits aren't a spectacle like Monza or Spa to be honest. Tip to FIA - employ more than just Tilke for every circuit.

As for South Africa, I know it's just a dream, but imagine the amount of jobs that building a new race track for F1 could provide, as well as giving building/engineering experience to many young people who could help make South Africa's already expanding industry into something world class. South Africa is in a very similar position in terms of economy to China and Brazil as a developing nation, so why not stake a claim early like the two mentioned?

[Mike E]

Because they blew billions on the World Cup, with most of the construction companies now involved in a corruption investigation. As a South African I am very conflicted about the idea of an SA GP. Part of me thinks a world championship should be in Africa and SA is as good a candidate as any, and part of me thinks Bernie has enough money already.
As a sportscar fan I would rather see the Kyalami 9 Hours resurrected.

[Mike E]

But not at Kyalami 'cos it's rubbish.

[werner]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Tilke hasn't done too bad a job with the Austin circuit and Sepang, but his circuits aren't a spectacle like Monza or Spa to be honest. Tip to FIA - employ more than just Tilke for every circuit.

As for South Africa, I know it's just a dream, but imagine the amount of jobs that building a new race track for F1 could provide, as well as giving building/engineering experience to many young people who could help make South Africa's already expanding industry into something world class. South Africa is in a very similar position in terms of economy to China and Brazil as a developing nation, so why not stake a claim early like the two mentioned?

South Africa might have an expanding economy, but is way, way smaller than countries like Brazil and especially India and China.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Mr Pink

Am I the only one whow' kind of hoping that Hermanos Rodriguez will not be "up to F1 standards" but there would be enough money slipping in to Bernies pockets for it to be run anyway? Would be a nice contrast to the sterile Tilkedromes.

THIS. And I'm hoping the same for the Austrian GP...

[321Go]

Bahrain 2014 confirmed as a night race. The decision whether the "night" race will start at 5pm or 6pm local time is still to be made.

How would this time slot effect the other parts of the world where F1 is taken more seriously?

In Australia for example, that's a 1:00am start time!

[wolfhound]

Originally Posted by 321Go

Bahrain 2014 confirmed as a night race. The decision whether the "night" race will start at 5pm or 6pm local time is still to be made.

How would this time slot effect the other parts of the world where F1 is taken more seriously?

In Australia for example, that's a 1:00am start time!

It will put the race time about 2-3 PM in Europe, 8 AM in central USA, and about 12PM for central Australia and Japan. The Kiwis will be rolling over for their second sleep on Monday morning.