So Many Venues, So Little Time

[Last2LiftOff]

So a new race announced for Dubai and talk now of Singapore, Cape Town, Korea, India, a shared British GP (that's a good one) etc., and Bernie suggesting an optimum 20 races on the calendar; something's gotta give. Montreal is a favourite of mine, of course, not only because it's home but I like the track, the atmosphere and the speed of the circuit, but know it's questionable after the current deal expires. I can't help but wonder what other races may be sacrificed or how else he proposes to accomodate this expansion campaign, and to what end.

[BootsOntheSide]

Montreal does look vulnerable, which is a real shame as it's produced so many classic races, and has a great layout. Ideally Hungary would go, but that's not realistic while it's the only venue in Eastern Europe. Interlagos has probably escaped being required to update its facilities and security due to its monopoly status as the only possibillity in South America. Maybe Germany should go down to one race now?

[Ranald]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Maybe Germany should go down to one race now?

Germany is down to one race!!

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Interlagos has probably escaped being required to update its facilities and security due to its monopoly status as the only possibillity in South America.

Is that a sufficient reason to keep it ? Certainly not, I guess there is misinformation about this statement. Every year FIA demands modifications and they are made as required.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Is that a sufficient reason to keep it ? Certainly not, I guess there is misinformation about this statement. Every year FIA demands modifications and they are made as required.

I quite liked the falling scenery,the little river that runs across the track,the occasional power cuts and computer thefts.I think it's what some people call "character".

[Knowlesy]

No, the character is the track itself which is utterly wonderful. The fans aren't bad either!

I can't see Interlagos making way anyways. And rightly so.

A lot of European races will hit the skids. The British GP is the one right at the front of the firing line I guess.

[Smokey 6 litre]

The races will go where the money is, as ever.
But i think F1 does need to move around, embrace the new world as new industry and new industrial powers will continue to provide the vast amount of resources that the F1 circus uses up.
But, it needs to keep its routes in its foundations, EVERY F1 team is based in Europe, all the skills are in Europe.
Nations having more than 1 GP is a luxury none can afford, and soon a race every other year may be the norm for many countries.
F1 needs to move with the times, embrace the new countries without alienating those who made it what it is...the fans.

[f1manoz]

I can see a number of European races behind given the heave-ho. F1 still is still very Euro-centric, something I think Bernie really doesn't like, and he'll use anything he can to make sure these new venues are given the go ahead.

[duke_toaster]

If F1 wants more races and customer chassis are coming in (hopefully they would increase or scrap the team limit), here's a thought.

Have more races, but start the season in Bahrain and then Europe (have about the first half of the season in Europe). All places other than the top 20/16/however in the championship would be frozen. The remaining teams plus the others that want to/can afford to do Asia and Aus, ending the season in the US.

This also gives the advantage of a prime time TV finale to F1 for Europe.

The tracks I would like to see go are Australia, Canada, Brazil and Hungary. But I would not add any more new tracks outside of ones pre-agreed.

[Notso Swift]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

If F1 wants more races and customer chassis are coming in (hopefully they would increase or scrap the team limit), here's a thought.

Have more races, but start the season in Bahrain and then Europe (have about the first half of the season in Europe). All places other than the top 20/16/however in the championship would be frozen. The remaining teams plus the others that want to/can afford to do Asia and Aus, ending the season in the US.

This also gives the advantage of a prime time TV finale to F1 for Europe.

The tracks I would like to see go are Australia, Canada, Brazil and Hungary. But I would not add any more new tracks outside of ones pre-agreed.

So what you are saying is make F1 more insular and totally abandon the concept of a World Championship, while we are at it we will do our best to follow the least appropriate local weather conditions, genius at work.

[Davhut]

You all remember about 15 years ago when Bernie said the "future of Formula One" was in the East? Ten years from now all the cars will be constructed and run out of the middle east or China. Mark my word!

[kipper]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

If F1 wants more races and customer chassis are coming in (hopefully they would increase or scrap the team limit), here's a thought.

Have more races, but start the season in Bahrain and then Europe (have about the first half of the season in Europe). All places other than the top 20/16/however in the championship would be frozen. The remaining teams plus the others that want to/can afford to do Asia and Aus, ending the season in the US.

This also gives the advantage of a prime time TV finale to F1 for Europe.

I can't see that idea working to be honest. Firstly, there could potentially be a great imbalance in the grid levels, with big grids at the start of the season and then much smaller grids for the 'prime time' races at the end of the year which wouldn't look good on TV. Secondly, if a team has one driver in the top x number and one that isn't they would only take one driver to the closing races, which would not change the costs of entering but minimise the returns. If you make it so that anyone can still enter the remaining races regardless of whether they qualify for the championship or not then the idea becomes self defeating because there is likely to be no differences between the start of the season and the end (bearing in mind that the teams that will have their positions frozen will be backmarkers anyway and wouldn't feature in any championship challenge). Also there could be problems with teams that do qualify for the end of season races, but lack the finance to do so and so eliminate themselves from the championship fight, which makes a mockery of the system.

[Paddockman]

Originally Posted by Davhut

You all remember about 15 years ago when Bernie said the "future of Formula One" was in the East? Ten years from now all the cars will be constructed and run out of the middle east or China. Mark my word!

And that day will see the final nail in it's coffin!

[Davhut]

For the English speaking world, at least.

[Bluewolf]

If any venue has to go, please let it be Hungary!

[Chatters]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Interlagos has probably escaped being required to update its facilities and security due to its monopoly status as the only possibillity in South America.

Mr. Egglestone's already confirmed that the Mexican GP will return in 2009... And Argentina is looking to stage an F1 race again...

[FPV GTHO]

Mexico's North America though...The only relevant one there is Argentina, and until theyve got the deal signed, Interlagos still holds bargaining power.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by Bluewolf

If any venue has to go, please let it be Hungary!

I can guarantee that Hungary will never go! Ever, ever, ever!

So let's hope we get more wet races there.

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

The tracks I would like to see go are Australia, Canada, Brazil and Hungary.

I wouldn't miss Hungary much either Duke, but if the likes of the Silverstone, Montreal, Interlagos, and Suzuka are replaced with more circuits like China and Bahrain, the new(er) eastern markets might begin to wonder what all the fuss is about. The Turkish GP may be a recent exception, but in my view, it is the only one.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by Chatters

Mr. Egglestone's already confirmed that the Mexican GP will return in 2009... And Argentina is looking to stage an F1 race again...

Where on earth have you read that rubbish?

Mexico have not got anything approaching a F1 standard track so unless you're talking about a street race then I think you are grossly mistaken.

Plus there just isn't enough time left to build a new circuit from scratch that'll be ready for 2009.

[chillibowl]

Tilke's views on the subject of tracks in Mexico, Russia, and India from autosport.

i dont remember this actually being comfirmed in 05, but according to Tilke Mexico had signed up, for a 5 year term, a spot was found, but the track was just not built for whatever reason. also he has no plans for a Russian or Indian track.

[Snrub]

It would be utter lunicy to remove any of the existing European races with the exception of Hungary. The strongest base of F1 fans is in western European countries. I don't know why Europeans don't get more upset by Bernie's threats to their races. Nascar in the US has created great contriversy over whether the series should be involved in Mexico when it means that some tracks may only get one race per year instead of two.

I think Bernie is potentially concerned about the rapid rise of stock car racing. In countries like Brazil and Mexico it has really taken off. Now there is this new series in Asia. Project some growth over time and if something isn't done these developing and semi-developing countries may adopt stock car racing over F1. Nascar has shown that many more races per season can be run, so from Bernie's perspective, why not have more?

[Notso Swift]

It is pretty hard to argue with more races and less testing

[Flat12-Aircool]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Tilke's views on the subject of tracks in Mexico, Russia, and India from autosport.

i dont remember this actually being comfirmed in 05, but according to Tilke Mexico had signed up, for a 5 year term, a spot was found, but the track was just not built for whatever reason. also he has no plans for a Russian or Indian track.

I appreciate many locations have been talked about, but my response was to a post implying a definate race to take place in Mexico by 2009. A statement which is complete rubbish as no work on a F1 venue has yet started or may never be started for a great many years to come.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Notso Swift

It is pretty hard to argue with more races and less testing

For teams and fans alike i'd imagine. Its well documented as well how now the tyre war's gone, the bulk of previous testing is gone, especially at 2006 competition levels.