A Friend Remembered A Tribute to Mike Bell 2021 Calendar

**chunterer** · 14 Jan 2021, 09:28 (Ref:4028923)

Hmm I posted in the 21 thread about the races that are at risk. I probably should have posted it here 🤦

Talk is that Monaco, Baku and Montreal are 50-50 at the moment.

If they cannot happen I assume that Istanbul Park, Nurby and Mugello (the other 3 of 5 European back up tracks used last year) will fill in?

The US and Latin rounds would also be fluid as things stand but what circuits would substitute for those 3 rounds?

More European ones like Aragon, Jerez, or some in the Middle East like Losail, Dubai or Kuwait?

Or will we see 2 races at the same venue again such as A1, Sillystone and Bahrain?

S griffin · 14 Jan 2021, 10:55 (Ref:4028943)

Hopefully we don't have duplicate races like last year

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Jan 2021, 13:51 (Ref:4028977)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Hopefully we don't have duplicate races like last year

The second race at Bahrain was superb. If double headers are needed again, I hope they do the same again at Bahrain.

TheMightyM · 14 Jan 2021, 14:07 (Ref:4028984)

The most interesting part of the Autosport article:

Quote:

The true nature of the Sao Paulo financial support has subsequently become clear in legal documents that revealed how much the city is paying, namely 20m Reals (£2.7m) per year over the five years of the deal.

Richard Casto · 14 Jan 2021, 15:43 (Ref:4029019)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Hopefully we don't have duplicate races like last year

Frankly, I found them fascinating. It may be better in general to have a regular calendar with a different circuit each time. But I think the back to back weekends were great. And even better if they were able to incorporate slight circuit variations between weeks.

Richard

S griffin · 14 Jan 2021, 15:52 (Ref:4029026)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Frankly, I found them fascinating. It may be better in general to have a regular calendar with a different circuit each time. But I think the back to back weekends were great. And even better if they were able to incorporate slight circuit variations between weeks.

Richard

Problem is it was only supposed to be a temporary solution and I wouldn’t want it to happen again. You’re right, it is better in general to have different circuits in general. After all, it would probably get boring if you raced at say your local kart track all the time. You’d want to experience different ones. Even if some circuits are more fun than others, I think having say Spa or Monaco once a year just adds to the event

chillibowl · 14 Jan 2021, 15:54 (Ref:4029030)

yeah, i also thought the double headers were great and very successful both in terms of protecting the health of circus but also a great experiment in showcasing the evolution of a race car not just over one GP weekend at a time but by tangibly connecting race weekends by virtue of being on a same track again the following weekend.

add in some variables like a different layout and a different set of tire compounds and we were treated to some great races last year.

for my money, i would like to see at least one back to back at the same venue become a permanent fixture on the calendar.

**Adam43** · 14 Jan 2021, 16:22 (Ref:4029038)

I’m with you.

This year they will have to make compromises and last minute changes again. Hopefully they can be as successful, in the circumstances, as they were last year.

S griffin · 14 Jan 2021, 16:49 (Ref:4029049)

I don’t think they will need to cut it as much as last year. So therefore hopefully no more back to backs duplicates. It was fine as a temporary solution, but not in the future. I don’t think it’s right that a venue should get more than one GP for the sake of it

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Jan 2021, 17:54 (Ref:4029068)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

I don’t think they will need to cut it as much as last year. So therefore hopefully no more back to backs duplicates. It was fine as a temporary solution, but not in the future. I don’t think it’s right that a venue should get more than one GP for the sake of it

It isn't for the sake of it. The double headers were there to ensure there was a minimum number of races in order for the season to go ahead.

S griffin · 14 Jan 2021, 23:05 (Ref:4029130)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

It isn't for the sake of it. The double headers were there to ensure there was a minimum number of races in order for the season to go ahead.

I never said they were added for the sake of it, I said they shouldn’t be added for the sake of it

**chunterer** · 15 Jan 2021, 06:38 (Ref:4029156)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

I don’t think they will need to cut it as much as last year. So therefore hopefully no more back to backs duplicates. It was fine as a temporary solution, but not in the future. I don’t think it’s right that a venue should get more than one GP for the sake of it

Why don't you think there will be as many cuts this year?

he current state of the pandemic around the globe and the differing regional quarantine or infection levels strongly points toward significant changes to the calendar.

john ruston · 15 Jan 2021, 06:47 (Ref:4029159)

Think it’s called a pragmatic decision on number of GP’s.
The people involved need a minimum number of races to meet the contractual commitments and if a double header gets the job done so be it.
It’s not that big deal.
You may have noticed the world has a bit of a problem and it’s not going away in near future.

VIVA GT · 15 Jan 2021, 07:41 (Ref:4029161)

I too enjoyed the double headers, they brought a different dimension into the season for me. I also understand the practical reasons for having them too, moving the F1 circus from place to place is an expensive and complicated operation, made even more so when the time in which this can be done is reduced. Then, on top of that are the added travelling complications of the global pandemic which we have all been living with now for almost 12 months now. The way I see it i9s that we either have double headers at certain circuits so that we can have F1 races and an F1 Championship, or we have nothing. As simple as that.

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Jan 2021, 09:17 (Ref:4029170)

Just received my copy of Autocourse so will read their take on the way the last season panned out. Frankly, like many, I can see this year being even more difficult since governments now know more about the virus and how it's impact can be minimized. Rolling out vaccines will hopefully reduce the risks, but I don't see it being the silver bullet this year. I hope I'm wrong on that.

As John said, younger people (under 50) are probably way down the list and it may be autumn before they get jabbed. If so that will be most of the F1 community. Can't see the organisers being happy if they are seen to "jump the queue" by paying for jabs out of sequence, think of the publicity. And even if they did the restrictions would probably still apply.