Provisional 2007 Calendar

[jab]

The FIA have confirmed that the San Marino and European Grands Prix will be dropped from the Formula One calendar next year.
The sport's governing body published the list of dates for next year's schedule on Tuesday following a fax vote of the World Motor Sport Council.
The return of the Belgian Grand Prix on September 16 had been expected to force one race off the calendar, but it appears that both the San Marino and European events have gone.
Imola had needed to upgrade its facilities to have a chance of hosting the fourth race, while the European venue has been dropped after Nurburgring and Hockenheim organisers decided that it would be best to alternate one race in Germany.

Australia 18 March
Malaysia 08 April
Bahrain 15 April
Spain 13 May
Monaco 27 May
Canada 10 June
United States 17 June
France 01 July
United Kingdom 08 July
Germany 22 July
Hungary 05 August
Turkey 26 August
Italy 09 September
Belgium 16 September
China 30 September
Japan 07 October
Brazil 21 October

So Imola, Suzuka and Hockenheim are gone, by the looks, despite the fact that at Imola, their spending millions to upgrade it to keep F1 there

[Sodemo]

Ironically I feel that its down to the changes that the FIA forced upon Imola post 1994
that the FIA now decide to drop it to a certain degree.
Its now an awful circuit, and any track changes that are taking place are too little too late.

Did I hear someone mention that as well as Spa there is another race penned in for Japan with Mt Fuji?

[jab]

It was rumoured - a Pacific GP at Suzuka in April, but I think that's looking less likely now

[safc_fan89]

It doesn't look like Suzuka will find a way back onto the calendar, which is a real shame because it is the best F1 track on the current calendar, and I reckon it is better than Spa-Francorchamps now. I think it is a shame that a somewhat emasculated Fuji track will take the place of what is a unique racetrack in Suzuka.

Although I do not like the Imola track, it is a pity it is not on the calendar, even if races got a bit dull I still liked seeing F1 races there.

[Chatters]

Imola might get its round back when it gets its new facilities.

[Bononi]

It's sad to see Suzuka is out of the F1 calendar, it's sort of a temple of racing there...

[touringlegend]

There's a 4 week gap between Bahrain and Spain, so wouldn't be suprised to see a GP fill that in.

[Sodemo]

I actually forgot that Suzuka had been given the chop.

So we lose 1 great track (Suzuka) , but gain another back (Spa), lose 2 average tracks (Imola & Nurburgring) and gain an awful one (Fuji).

[jab]

The venue of the German race is most likely going to be Nurby, so we lose Hock (for a year)

There is also possibly space before Melbourne, as it's such an early start, as well as between Bahrain and Spain (Imola, or, as has been rumoured before, Suzuka?)

[elspethhardie]

Originally Posted by jab

There is also possibly space before Melbourne, as it's such an early start, as well as between Bahrain and Spain (Imola, or, as has been rumoured before, Suzuka?)

Don't you mean such a late start? We usually start weekend near 8th March and have Malaysia weekend near 22nd March.

[Chatters]

Either way... Melbourne has the season opener again! Woohoo!

[jab]

Originally Posted by elspethhardie

Don't you mean such a late start?

Yeah - typo

I don't think we'll see a race before Melbourne, seen as it's effectively been guaranteed race 1 for the future, but it's not definite, as far as I know

Why make the start later? If they made it earlier, it cuts testing time, and means we're able to have more races

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by jab

It was rumoured - a Pacific GP at Suzuka in April, but I think that's looking less likely now

Somehow I have the feelings that they never really intended to organize a Pacific GP. It was only keep the fans calm.

[Sharky]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37159

Hockenheim stays but the Nürburgring goes. Not a big fan of either in their current state though.

Great to see SPA back (let's see for how long) but I can't help but think that it's a great shame to lose Suzuka.

[jab]

Looks like Turkey's in jeopardy now, after all that went on on the podium on Sunday

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/arti...ING-TURKEY.XML

Why is it always the best tracks?

[rcarr]

I think that Hockenheim lost its appeal when they removed the trip in and out of the forrest, beside Spa, I thought the old Hockenheim was the best!

We could watch F1 cars at there best and going from extreme acceleration down to very slow speeds for the chicanes and then back again! Now, you rarely see F1 cars going at full throttle for such a long period of time! It was an engine-eater and thats what we lack in these times of shorter specator circuits.

[chillibowl]

3 weeks between Oz and Bahrain
4 weeks between Bahrain and Spain

already i am hoping for a couple of extra races possibly a Pacific Gp to be held at Suzuka hopefully or is there another East/Far East Asian venue that has been asking for a race?

[kipper]

Originally Posted by rcarr

I think that Hockenheim lost its appeal when they removed the trip in and out of the forrest

I agree that the 'new' Hockenhiem isn't anywhere as good as the old one, but at least with it alternating with the Nurburgring it will generate some novelty value and maybe make the races a little better for teams won't have so much data to base setups on etc.

[BootsOntheSide]

I think ITV have jumped the gun in reporting that Nurburgring is gone - in the list on the BBC Ceefax pages Germany is the only venue TBA, so I think the alternation is the most likely.

Bernie should be ashamed of himself for taking Suzuka out in place of Fuji. When did this man lose his love of motor racing? Surely he's rich enough as it is without Toyota blinding him with more money? Hopefully ChampCar can sort out a race there.

[Sodemo]

So only 17 races then in 2007?

What happened to the 20 race calendar idea?

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by The Monster

So only 17 races then in 2007?

What happened to the 20 race calendar idea?

20 races is too much for the drivers and mechanics, I think. I would choose for a calendar with 16 races, with another 4 or 5 non-championship races as well. That would be nice. Non-championship were always special.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by The Monster

So only 17 races then in 2007?

What happened to the 20 race calendar idea?

I still think 20 races it's a good idea.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

20 races is too much for the drivers and mechanics, I think. I would choose for a calendar with 16 races, with another 4 or 5 non-championship races as well. That would be nice. Non-championship were always special.

Well, other race series manage it, though perhaps thats due to other factors like travel and PR commitments being less intense.

Im sure if there was less testing they could have 20 races easily. Start in late Feb, through to May, then a break, then have May to August then a break, then through to late November.

Just make the off season and winter testing schedules shorter.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

with another 4 or 5 non-championship races as well. That would be nice. Non-championship were always special.

They are if the teams turn up, but somehow, i fear, in this day and age you won't get enough teams there to make it worth it.

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by Mr V

They are if the teams turn up, but somehow, i fear, in this day and age you won't get enough teams there to make it worth it.

I think it would attract enough people. Especially in countries without a Grand Prix. The FIA could stimulate non-championship races by restricting the number of test days, with the exception of 4 or 5 non-championship races.