F1 calendar

[AlexJ]

The 2nd race in Spain is down to the emerging market for F1 in Spain due to Alonso's two titles (at least it was at the time it was agreed). We had 2 German GP's for years while Schumi was around and two GP's in Italy because of Ferrari's popularity.

One track I'd love to see on the calendar is Laguna Seca in the USA, but the walls are quite close to the track and therefore it's probably not considered safe enough to race on (not much more dangerous than Canada IMO, but that was criticised by some earlier this year for being too dangerous).

My only other thoughts is that many emerging markets such as China have recently joined the calendar and having races so far from the UK (the central location for more F1 teams) costs the teams a lot of money to go to. Having more races centred in Europe greatly reduce these costs.

These costs are paid for under the Concorde Agreement. Looking the other way, the championship is the World Championship as opposed to the European Championship and it is often criticised for being too Europe-centric.

[Tiago]

Ok, so, by that way of ideas, we could have 2 races in UK, many teams are from UK.

Donington park is a fine circuit, better then valencia in spain.
I thinks there is also a good circuit, brands heach, is this the name?

The most irritating thing for me is that Barcelona track was a 30% copy of Estoril circuit... Estoril was one of the drivers favorite (just like Spa)...
But sure, we are a small country... no F1 pilots... less money...

I read somewhere that we cound organize such an event... really? What about MotoGP?
FIA GT? Expo 98? the Expos after this one, follows the same organization rules.... Euro 2004? It was one of the best so far (organization) .... not to mention boot races... golf .... etc...

i just dont get it...

[Harrison]

Ok, so, by that way of ideas, we could have 2 races in UK, many teams are from UK.

Donington park is a fine circuit, better then valencia in spain.
I thinks there is also a good circuit, brands heach, is this the name?

Nearly right. It's Brands Hatch, and is located just outside of London. It is indeed a great circuit and F1 did originally race there, but the track isn't big enough for modern F1 cars. They just wouldn't be able to take advantage of the cars there.

A1GP race there though and I saw the first ever A1GP race there. That was really good and they had made a lot of improvements to the track for that event.

As for more races in the UK because of the teams, that would be great (especially for those of us living in the UK), but it tends to focus more on the country of the popular drivers rather than the teams (unless you count Ferrari).

[Tiago]

yes,

another thing that makes me whant to kill those £§€@£§ !! is that they said before that Estoril didnt have the safety conditions for F1 to race there !!
What a fu#$ ?! and Monaco? Does it have? And Valencia (street race) does it have? stupid f1 bosses go to hell

[Harrison]

In the end it all comes down to money. If a country/track owner/sponsor of a track can hand over more cash than any other then they will secure the race. Look at Bahrain! They didn't have a track when Bernie signed the deal, but they DID have the money.

I think once Bernie leaves F1 (he is old, he can't have long to live!) we could see a big change in how it is controlled and run. He is a business man who controls it purely from a financial point of view, not the fans point of view.

[Tiago]

Yes yo are right, but, if fans are not happy, if they dont see F1, there is not return in money....
so they should keep fans satisfied...

[Harrison]

We both know that is true, but to the FIA money is their biggest concern and they don't seem that bothered by fans. Well... that is until they don't get any turning up at races. Look at the situation a few years ago where some races were a complete disaster with the US GP being nearly empty and some other races not able to sell tickets. At least with the current drivers it has been attracting fans, both old and new, back to the races. And this year with all of the controversy has actually helped the sport become a lot more popular.

[AlexJ]

I think once Bernie leaves F1 (he is old, he can't have long to live!) we could see a big change in how it is controlled and run. He is a business man who controls it purely from a financial point of view, not the fans point of view.

It could make things worse. Despite being there to make money, Bernie also knows his racing having entered GP, owned teams and managed drivers. Money is his no.1 priority but he knows there are occasions when short-term gain could mean a net-loss long term with fans deserting. After he's gone, the banks might be in charge and then it will be 100% money making - no thought at all spared for the fans.

What costs does that actually cover? I've heard many times about how much it costs the teams to fly the equipment and support staff out to each location, and the extra technical expenses involved with data communication..

2 race cars, 10,000kg of air freight and 20 people. Bridgestone cover the cost of flying the tyres out.

[Harrison]

I would imagine that most teams take more than that to the race weekend though. What about their third "spare" car for one?

[Harrison]

One track I'd love to see on the calendar is Laguna Seca in the USA, but the walls are quite close to the track and therefore it's probably not considered safe enough to race on (not much more dangerous than Canada IMO, but that was criticised by some earlier this year for being too dangerous).

That is a great track and they keep saying they need more tracks in the US. Isn't Laguna Seca used in the US Le Mans racing series? That left hand bend over the brow of a hill is quite evil. Isn't it called The Corkscrew?

My only other thoughts is that many emerging markets such as China have recently joined the calendar and having races so far from the UK (the central location for more F1 teams) costs the teams a lot of money to go to. Having more races centred in Europe greatly reduce these costs.

These costs are paid for under the Concorde Agreement. Looking the other way, the championship is the World Championship as opposed to the European Championship and it is often criticised for being too Europe-centric.

What costs does that actually cover? I've heard many times about how much it costs the teams to fly the equipment and support staff out to each location, and the extra technical expenses involved with data communication.

It is true that F1 should be worldwide, but you have to remember that until recently many countries, especially in the Middle East were not interested or financially able to take part until the past couple of years where they are now suddenly seeing F1 as a good way to expand business connections and industry with the rest of the world.