European Tracks:going, Going, Gone!!!

[Knowlesy]

Let's look forward ten years. Tobacco advertising is no longer in Europe. Bernie (presuming he's still alive) blows his wig and say's to Max Mosley (or his replacement): GODDAMMIT! I want another race in an unusual country! Ethiopia! Kuwait! Let's axe another few European rounds!

Basically, in about a decades time, the European rounds of the Formula One world championship will be few and far between. The new tracks are impressive, facility wise, but they don't really light my fire like Spa did.

Which European rounds will go? Are you happy that the World championships will soon look like the Asian championships? Which races will you be saddest to see axed? Does Bernie actually take any notice of the improvements to European tracks (notably Silverstone)? How do you feel about all this?

VENT YOUR ANGER NOW!!!!!!!!!!

[JonesF1]

It wouldnt be so bad if they werent replacing and rebuilding classic circuits into Tilkerings.

[golem]

Basically, modern tracks are becoming much of a muchness, and it's just a big economic stunt. So I support the changes because it doesn't seem to matter where they're racing.

[enemy-ace]

They have butchered Hockenheim, named a chicane at Imola after Gilles Villeneuve (which just seems inherently wrong)and they have taken Spa off of the calender. Now all they need do is turn Monza into an oval and their work will be done. Part of Formula One's allure is it's histoy and tradition. At least we will still have the history.

[Omega99]

Tobacco advertising's coming to an end all over the world. Are they gonna drop Montreal too now or what? It's only a matter of time before tobacco advertising isn't allowed anywhere, so these teams simply have to start looking for other sponsorship.

[RT]

The allure, tradition and overall strength of F1 can be summed up in just one word: Europe

We're trading the best and most historic tracks like Spa for some Mickey Mouse track in the middle of nowhere just for the sake of tobacco advertising.

One important thing to keep in mind is that even in places far away from Europe, the attraction of having an F1 race is rooted in its european traditions.

It's not that we should keep the series in the continent of Europe exclusively. It's that F1 is a symbol of what's best of the universality of European culture all over the world as has been the case of the GP's of Brazil, Argentina the good ol' USA, etc, etc. The F1 season has to retain it's grand old european heritage. If Max and Bernie lose it, they'll be "killing the hen that has given them their golden eggs".

[pb btcc]

If there are going get rid of any European races please please get rid of Spain, San Marino and Hungary and bring back spa.

[climb]

If F1 keeps tobacco-dependant its future is doomed.
They just have to find alternatives that exist, indeed:
- mobile telecom companies
- global food and beverages brands
- banks and insurance companies

Any other ideas?

[ljakse]

It's not simple yes or no. There is more to it. If new track outside Europe are better in terms of drving&racing, than I'm all for it. On the other hand, if it's going to be same boring racing like Hungaroring, then I preffer watching it at 14:00CET, than 06:00.

[Asp]

Personally, I'm against it - less races for me to visit, and worse TV times

But, looking at the wider picture - I'm in favour of it. Looking at Continents, Europe has 10 GPs. This contrasts with 2 in North America, 1 in South America, 2 in Australasia, 1 in Asia, and 0 in Africa (I'm putting Sepang in Australasia in case you're wondering)

People say that we need to keep F1 where the fans are. However, the fans are in Europe because everywhere else it's so difficult to see a race. F1 needs to become more global, by very nature of the name "F1 World Championship"

I will agree that politics has no place in F1, or indeed any sport. But the fact of the matter is that is does. We've not 'traded' Spa for a mickey mouse track. We've lost Spa - no new circuits this year, remember! Next year, we'll get a new track at Bahrain - and we don't know if it'll be a Mickey Mouse track or produce excellent racing until we get there. And don't victimise it before we get there because it 'replaced Spa'.

Let's think of the wider picture - and make F1 global!

[Knowlesy]

If the races outside of Europe are entertaining it's not so much of a problem. Indianapolis, Suzuka, Sepang, Melbourne are all brilliant. But if we end up with several "New Hockenheim" tracks then I'm afraid I'm totally against it. Herman Tilke designed a wonderful track at Sepang. I can't believe he designed the so-called "improved" Hockenheim. I heard him say shortly after he finished the track that he was "Satisfied he had retained the character of the old Hockenheim". Hmmmm......
Races outside of Europe aren't necessarily a bad thing when done well. But why are they replacing Spa and other classic European tracks. Get rid of Hungaroring (if the touted improvements aren't any good), Imola et al not entertaining races such as Spa, Silverstone and A1-Ring (yes I know the track sucks but the races don't. Or even better expand the calendar, which seems quite a realistic possibility now judging by recent news....

[DNQ]

I can't see why the F1 World Championship shouldn't stay based where began...in Europe. Sure, move on a bit, but don't cull the venues that made the series famous/great.

[ASCII Man]

There have been national elections here in Belgium a couple weeks ago, and the result was very positive.
The green party's (who were against the tabacco advertising exception for Spa) were hammered by the voters (and me!) for unbelievable poor handling of several cases (including Spa).
There will most probably be a coalition government of Socialists and Liberals (who were in favor of Spa) so when we get a re-vote, the tabacco advertising exception for the GP in Spa is very likely to be approved.

There is a good chance that Spa will come back.

[DNQ]

Good to hear. I certainly hope so.

[Knowlesy]

That is superb news!

[BootsOntheSide]

Thanks for letting us know that ®îjñtjûh.

Personally I'd be fine with only having 6-8 races in Europe, but only if the right races are removed. We shouldn't be without classics like Spa, or the original Hockenheim. There is little F1 interest in Eastern Europe,a nd we all hate the Hungaroring, so that can go. The new Nurburgring and Imola are superfluous as well - if one nation should ahve 2 races, it's the US.

[Bononi]

Well, this is not really a poll, is it ?

[Mania]

Originally posted by knowlesy
[B]

Which European rounds will go? Are you happy that the World championships will soon look like the Asian championships?
B]

I think thats a ridiculous thing to say. F1 doesent belong to Europe and if Asia can provide better tracks and more commercial opportunities for the teams and the sponsors then there's nothing wrong in going there. It is after all a F1 WORLD championship and the last time I checked the "world" doesent revolve around Europe and certainly not Silverstone.

[Knowlesy]

I'm not saying that F1 should be purely in Europe. It should be spread across the world. But Europe is the center of Formula One and it should have a few races. And if every race is in Asia then it isn't a world championship is it Mania?
F1 should be on every continent - including Europe AND Asia.
But it does worry me that all the European tracks are disappearing fast and no European replacements arising.

[Glen]

Why blame Bernie? The Concorde Agreement means that the teams decide. If you exclusivey blame Bernie you haven't a clue how this actually works.

[Knowlesy]

Because Bernie is the one who conveys to the public his somewhat wild opinions on "poor" tracks such as Silverstone...

[Schummy]

About F1 being A "world" championship, I think the word "world" is not important. It is simply the "F1 driver championship", and we can add the pompous title we like .Its roots and heritage are in Europe and some other countries. Public interest is basicly in those countries, technicians, drivers, media, etc are there as well.

It is the same as in US they call "World Series" or something like that. The important thing is not the magic word "world", but where the sport is followed.

Anyway, F1 is not "worldish" at all. Where are africans drivers, where are non europeans teams, even where are now asian drivers? One day maybe it will be or not (not everyone has to like F1)

Every sport has its geographical base no matter what name they choose for it. Would be relevant a NBA series spreaded around the five continents? (IMHO, no )

[Omega99]

Originally posted by ®îjñtjûh
There have been national elections here in Belgium a couple weeks ago, and the result was very positive.
The green party's (who were against the tabacco advertising exception for Spa) were hammered by the voters (and me!) for unbelievable poor handling of several cases (including Spa).
There will most probably be a coalition government of Socialists and Liberals (who were in favor of Spa) so when we get a re-vote, the tabacco advertising exception for the GP in Spa is very likely to be approved.

There is a good chance that Spa will come back.

Wow! Racing in politics. Now that's just something you wouldn't see in North America. In fact, that's how they should pick the leaders, with races, possibly death races... Oh I can see it now. President Mario Andretti and Prime Minister Jacques Villeneuve. Now that'd be sweet.

Come to think of it, there really isn't any level of international competiton that sets nations in a head to head battle for auto racing supremacy. Next summer olympics maybe. Maybe...