New F1 Tracks

[Crash and Burn]

Max Mosley called for more Formula One races to be held outside Europe after being re-elected president of motor racing's ruling body, FIA, for a third and final four-year term.

"I think 11 races in Europe are too many," the 61-year-old Briton said and went on to confirme that a second race in the United States was under consideration.

A circuit under construction in Moscow should be ready to stage a race from 2003, China and India were other options and there were three bids from the Middle East, he added. The World Motor Sport Council approved on Wednesday a 17-race draft calendar for 2002, saying next year's British Formula One Grand Prix will go ahead, subject to the outcome of an inquiry into traffic conditions last July.

"Seventeen races are the absolute limit and 16 would be ideal but I still feel we should have 20," Mosley said in Cologne on Friday.

[DNQ]

I wish Mr Mosely would make up his mind. Only two years ago he wanted less races...

[f1manoz]

Isn't Moscow considered to be part of Europe?????

But the race appears to be going ahead nonetheless, and it's another step towards a proper world championship, even though Russia have never produced an F1 car or F1 driver.

China was at one stage being considered for a Grand Prix at Zhuhai, but it seemed to fall apart very quickly, even though JV ran a few laps in a Renault Spyder a few years back and his comments were fairly negative if my memory serves me.

As for the Middle East getting a GP, well, perhaps one day when everything calms down. But I think a GP being held anywhere in that region is a long way off, a very long way.

Also, for it to be now classified a proper World Championship, they now have to have a race in Africa, presumably in South Africa. How about a return to Kyalami?

[DNQ]

Yes, a race in Africa would be a start. If i was Max, I would get rid of the San Marino and European Grand Prix's, and replace it with a 'World Grand Prix' that alternates around various race tracks around the planet.

[jetsetter]

They could always replace Hungary with Russia or South Africa for starters. Would some of these countries like India have the finances and infastructure to host a successful Grand Prix? As for the Middle East i don't think too many teams or drivers would be lining up to go there to quickly, if they got nervous about going to Indy you would never get them to the Middle East.

[paulzinho]

I agree that the Middle Easts chances of a GP seem to have been significantly reduced but does Bernie care? If they get the money I think Bernie would be more than happy to go although I think teams and drivers may block it.

Whilst your getting rid of circuits, replace Catalunya with something better and how about a French Grand Prix on the full Le Mans circuit!! That wouldnt be too bad would it!

[Tristan]

Keep the GP's where the fans are: EUROPE. The only reason why they'd move abroad is for one reason only: $$$ for tobacco companies. When this EU legislation really starts to bite, the only way the tobacco giants can make their adverts work is by having races abroad (usually on boring, bland, mickey mouse tracks such as Sepang, Zuhai, Nagantino, the ones in the Middle East (like they'll have one there now anyway!!) in the middle of the night).

KEEP F1 FOR THE FANS, NOT THE MONEY GRABBING CONGLOMERATES!!!

[zealot]

I agree with Tristan, but the reality is THE FANS can't foot the entire bill for the huge budgets of Formula 1 teams. We need the HUGE CONGLOMERATES. Without them, ticket prices and everything else will skyrocket more than they already have.

As far as the cancer stick ads, I'd love to see them go, but who would replace them? Ever since the early days of F1 advertisement, names like JPS, Marlboro, Camel and Lucky Strike have been prominent. It's hard to imagine another product stepping up to fill the hole left if and when they leave.

[Tristan]

Williams is doing fine.

But I take your point. Tobacco or otherwise, these sponsors want their products to be seen around the world and they are what keeps F1 as it is. In that case, what's the solution?? Keep it with the existing TV audiece, I say and sod the tobacco companies. If they can't advertise in Europe then tough. There ARE other companies that are just as big.

[zealot]

Good point.

Frank Williams has always done a good job of getting "untraditional" sponsors to buy into his program (look at his Saudi cars of the 70s and 80s and Canon car in the late 80s).

If F1 is going to dump the tobacco ads (which they will have to if they want to stay in Europe), teams are going to have to inventive and find investors in different places like Frank has with Compaq.

The problem with this is, most teams like taking the easy way out and sticking with what works, tobacco.

I agree that Europe should host the majority of F1 races, it's that flavor that makes F1 great. But to do it, the teams are going to have to do some work and find alternative sponsors to keep their programs going.

[Redneck]

I agree that Europe holds the birth-right for grand prix racing and thus should always be given priority. There are some locations that should be grandfathered in, so that they will always have a race. Monza and Spa are top of my list.

Commercialism has just about always been, and always will be the primary driving force behind the hi-tech world of F1. Unfortunately, the tobacco companies have the deepest pockets when it comes to racing. I do not like the bans on tobacco advertising though. I think this is governments/conservatives coming in and making decision for us because we don't have enough sense to make our own decisions.

I still have a burr in my saddle with Al Gore since he was involved with outlawing the manufacturing or importing 3-wheelers and thus my rights to buy and ride a 3-wheeler.

[Redneck]

How about some real roadracing.........


the Isle of Mann GP race. YEAH!!!!

[Vipernoir]

It is a shame that Gruppenfürer Finklestein is more concered with his pursuit of lucre than he is with good racing.

If it were down to the fans and the teams to choose the venues, the calender would be TOTALLY different.

[Tristan]

But WOULD it?? Really?? I remain skeptical when it comes to the REAL support for F1 outside Europe, Australia and (kinda) America/Brazil etc.

I think the calender as it is is fine and should not be changed. And that includes Sepang and Hungaroring. I think they've got the balance spot on.

The only thing I WOULD change is I would turn the Luxumburg GP back into the European GP and have it tour tracks such as Jerez, Donigton, Zandvoort, Nurbergring, Paul Ricard, Brands etc. changing every year making F1 even MORE accessable to its TRUE fans than ever.

[Vipernoir]

I fail to see why the old routine of sharing the GP year on year off is so wrong. Brands and Silvertone did it, Paul Ricard and Dijon did, and even the Belgians tried it with Nivelles and Zolder. The calender would be much more exciting if tracks were only visited every other year.

[paul-collins]

Just to update: from ITV-F1.com.

"{Ecclestone} has already promised Russia a race if they build a track in time but hinted that China too could be given a spot on the calendar.

"He told ITV-F1's Jim Rosenthal: "Next year will be the same but the year after we will lose two or three and gain two or three.

""We may be going to that place where there’s a lot of people and they eat nice Chinese food."

"Ecclestone’s remarks that two or three races will lose their places on the F1 calendar are bound to lead to speculation. Hungary, Brazil and San Marino may all come under threat.

"And ominously for British F1 fans, Ecclestone remained critical of Silverstone – even though race orgainsers Octagon were last week repaid a £3.5m bond for improving access to the circuit. "

[Rambo]

1) Stick where motor racing is popular
2) Stick where sponsors want their products advertised
3) Rotating/alternating venues are great - but they don't do that anymore because Bernie decided 5-year (or more) contracts are more economical. That's why Brands/Silverstone went, why the Nurburgring became permanent, and why Donnington never got another one-off. Maybe we should start a petition - but you've got those contracts do deal with, haven't you? Maybe if this breakaway series happens they can do it how we the fans want it...
4) The US GP has hit problems so many times I can't believe they're really considering a second one (again!!). Do people never learn?

[Lee Janotta]

A second USGP? Where?

US fans won't stand for a second roval, or a street race after stupid Pheonix, Dallas and Detroit over the last 20 years.

Road America might be too close to Indianapolis, and the facilites aren't great, but the track is ideal. Road Atlanta needs a facilites upgrade, and with a fatal crash in the last year (the late Bob Akin), is probably off the list. Watkins Glen is far too primitive, but the very best choice; same with Virginia and Sebring. That leaves the two beauties in California; Sears Point and Laguna Seca. Sears underwent enormous upgrades, and is a first-rate facility. But, it's a multipurpose motorsports facility, and very much looks the part. Plus, the curb-hopping necessary to run the fastest line there would eat up the delicate F1 machinery.

So what about Laguna Seca? It's undergoing steady upgrades, has been modified many times simply because the FIA has dangled the USGP carrot in front of them. It's a totally unique track, has an excellent safety record, and it's got a good location in Monterrey. High-profile events at the track are always financially successful, and it's a mainstay on lots of race season calendars.

[Lee Janotta]

BTW, I feel I must say again... If F1 goes to China, their engineers'll be arrested for espionage and forced to work on China's defense programs... Good people, but EVIL government!!!

They'll never survive a race in the middle east. The race'd be a target terrorists could never resist.

As for Russia... What have they done to deserve a race? They've not exported vehicles to anyplace that had an alternative, they've _never_ produced a driver of any distinction in any area of motorsport... The Czech Republic, though, has had racing since the earliest days, has a long history of producing excellent automobiles with Skoda, and already has a fantastic track at Brno. Far more deserving...

[Rambo]

There was that Fatal at Laguna too. It is an exciting, but dangerous track. Also, how long is it? F1 tracks have to be over the FIA minimum lenght and to be honest, I don't recall the length.

But as with all US facilites, things are a bit... primitive, for F1.

Any case, as I say, US GPs are flops. Only the Indy name has them going there - and the cheap tickets.

Last problem - this CART/F1 agreement about not running on the same tracks that's caused confusion with Montreal and Mex City - that too might throw up a prob or two.


I agree, Brno is a good track, and the facilities 1srt class. Russia is political move, and Moscow have been begging for a GP for years.


After the hassles with the China rally, and China's political viewpoint, I'm disgusted F1 is going there. Personally I'd like to see a boycott on sporting events in China.

Kylami is a great track, and I'd like to see them back there. Problem is, things have moved on a bit since the circuit was used, and i don't know if it would come up to today's standards. But please, please, don't go to that crappy Welkom place. Ugh!

[Lee Janotta]

There's only been the one fatality at Laguna Seca, though... And the wall at the top of the corkscrew, where it happened, has been moved back dramatically as a result. Showing a willingness to (over)react to tragic accidents might also cause the FIA to look favorably on the track. And a lap of the circuit is 2.238 miles; expanded in 1986 from it's original 1.9 miles with the promise of... The USGP!

Sadly, the old track at Kyalami is gone forever, and I don't know if it's ******* child deserves a race. I'd stay away just to spite the locals for plowing under that magnificent loop of pavement!

[Stephen Green]

Kyalami still holds a F1 track licence I believe but it's the high level of violence and the ever depreciating Rand that have made it almost impossible to hold a GP there. The is also talk that part of the Kyalami track is for sale to build offices or houses. Of course South Africa is really short on land for building...NOT!

[FastJoel31]

Originally posted by Lee Janotta
A second USGP? Where?

US fans won't stand for a second roval, or a street race after stupid Pheonix, Dallas and Detroit over the last 20 years.

Road America might be too close to Indianapolis, and the facilites aren't great, but the track is ideal. Road Atlanta needs a facilites upgrade, and with a fatal crash in the last year (the late Bob Akin), is probably off the list. Watkins Glen is far too primitive, but the very best choice; same with Virginia and Sebring. That leaves the two beauties in California; Sears Point and Laguna Seca. Sears underwent enormous upgrades, and is a first-rate facility. But, it's a multipurpose motorsports facility, and very much looks the part. Plus, the curb-hopping necessary to run the fastest line there would eat up the delicate F1 machinery.

So what about Laguna Seca? It's undergoing steady upgrades, has been modified many times simply because the FIA has dangled the USGP carrot in front of them. It's a totally unique track, has an excellent safety record, and it's got a good location in Monterrey. High-profile events at the track are always financially successful, and it's a mainstay on lots of race season calendars.

I say they get rid of Indy all together as the track itself is pretty boring, except for the last turn. I understand Watkins Glen might be dumped from the NASCAR bandwagon, the drivers a complaing about the road courses. If NASCAR can manage to hold a race there, why can't F1? I understand there is a lack of run-off. I know that CART came in and inspected the track. This has caused the owners of the track to upgrade the facility.

Mid-Ohio is another great track. They have the ALMS and CART racing there. I would say Portland, but it is too short. Sears Point's schedule is a little to big to hold an F1 race.

I would also like to see Mosport Park back on the circuit. What a great track!

[paul-collins]

Not to mention Mosport has been upgraded to FIA standards over the last three years (full 12m width, runoffs etc.) An FIA official was quoted to me as saying F1 could race at Mosport again with minor, cosmetic and amenities-type changes.

Sadly, there is no way they'd ever go there at the expense of Montreal, with Montreal's easy access for fans and commesurate spongeing of cash.

[rte]

Stop Germany having two a year