New GPs

[Eagle]

Formula 1 will race in Turkey for the first time in 2005, and on the back of that comes the announcement Bernie has arranged a 5 year deal with Mexico to once again host a race, with Hermann Tilke off to design yet another circuit. Bulgaria is also apparently on the list of nations to express interest in hosting a Formula 1 race, and rumours continue to circulate about Russia after the announcement of Midland Racing. After the success of Bahrain and China especially in 2004, what do you guys think of these new circuits? Has anyone actually seen the Turkey track yet?

Personally, I think it's good for Formula 1 to expand as much as it can logistically, and I think people are more interested to see and attend races than to read about test sessions.

 

[SouL]

Expansion is always a good thing. More exposure for the sport, the teams and drivers. And ultimately it increases the potential for Bernie to make more money and for the teams to attract more/better sponsors.

The new tracks really don't impress me that much. They all feel barren and lifeless. Bahrain could use a few palm trees and yellow cactus enemies similar to the ones found in Mario Kart games.

Shanghai and Bahrain both lack characteristics that the other tracks have. Suzuka for instance has a figure of eight layout and has just about every type of corner out there. Spa has the Eau Rouge uphill climb and that distinct curved starting grid. Then there's Monaco. And so forth

*shrug*

I hope the new Cancun track for the Mexican GP will be different from the current new tracks.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

What tracks will be ditchedd outta the series? Or is the championship gonna be even longer?

 

[Pharaoh]

The championship is going to be at least 19 rounds and maybe 20 if silverstone get back in. Turkey is joining and I saw somewhere that imola is back for 05. From what I heard imola has had another revamp with new pits and a slightly changed layout.

 

[Blake]

In my opinion the more GPs the better, this year was the longest season ever and they're just getting longer, I think it's good for the sport. I agree with Eagle in that I think the sport should expand as far as it is logistically possible.

 

[livemusic]

Yeah, I like that too. They should race every sunday from January until December.

 

[Mike Rotch]

More GP's = more costs = less teams.

Until Bernie hands out more money, more races will put more of a cost squeeze on teams - exactly what we dont want.

 

[Blake]

But it'll slow Ferrari's testing down

 

[Mike Rotch]

How do you figure that

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I reckon the more the races, the more the chances everyone has of winning.

 

[Aveiro-F1]

Anyone know when the Russian track is supposed to be finished? It was supposed to be done for 05' seaosn but apparently that isn't the case.

And Imola isn't BACK for 2005, seeing as it was used this year... it's one of the circuits in doubt though.

"How do you figure that"-Well I think I speak for him, when I say that Ferrari will have less time for preperations between seasons.

But I don't think that the teams will make less money from there being more circuits. If anything quite the opposite, because the FIA will give out more prize money for points. And in the end Formula One is one of the most expensive businesses to be in in the entire world, so unless you have money you shouldn't be here in the first place... unless your name happens to be Alex Yoong!

 

[Blake]

As Aveiro-F1 said they'd have less time for preperation (as would the other teams but Ferrari are the ones who do the most). Also that means more travel time which means less time testing.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I foudn this site www.racingcircuits.net and it shows the tracks of just about every country in the world ... pretty darn convenient, eh?

Anyway, here's the Turkish Grand Prix track. Interesting that it runs anti-clockwise, as most European F1 tracks run clockwise. Looks like fun.

 

[Blake]

Looks alright, not the best layout I've ever seen though.

 

[Aveiro-F1]

Reminds me of Magny Cours for some reason...

 

[Blake]

I don't see how...

 

[jenson09]

Im gettin a little fed up of all the Tilke tracks now!!! They just dont have the character of Monza Spa and Silverstone. 19 races is getting to be too long not just for the viewers partners but for the team personel. How would you like it to be away from home for potentialy over a month!! Especially if you have kids and the like. It may be good coz we get to see more 'racing' but the families of the crews shouldnt have to suffer for us

 

[Aveiro-F1]

I say have 2 races in a row followed by a one week absence. Also, keep in mind, that if the championship was done earlier, doing 1 race every week, then they could spend more time with their families between seasons which is when most drivers do their important family stuff. Last season went from March to October(?, maybe november but Im pretty sure it was only october) and there wasn't as many races as this year.

 

[The359]

I say have 2 races in a row followed by a one week absence. Also, keep in mind, that if the championship was done earlier, doing 1 race every week, then they could spend more time with their families between seasons which is when most drivers do their important family stuff. Last season went from March to October(?, maybe november but Im pretty sure it was only october) and there wasn't as many races as this year.

It's logistically impossible to do that, especially when a lot of races require teams to flow to other continents and stuff...

 

[livemusic]

That´s when the one week absence comes in.

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

It's logistically impossible to do that, especially when a lot of races require teams to flow to other continents and stuff...

wha tyou have is the two in a row are clsoe to each other, like for example USA & canadian grand prix's (wait a tick, they where on consecutive weeks last year were'nt they?). A track like Albert Park is an odd one out tho. Shangai and Suzuka is another good pair, well almost.

 

[Blake]

Albert Park isn't too odd, it's fairly close to Malaysia.

Blake

 

[Small_Fryz]

speaking of albert park its on soon .

The more GP's the better, but its very sad not to have spa. very lovely track

 

[Tobes]

speaking of albert park its on soon .

The more GP's the better, but its very sad not to have spa. very lovely track

The F1 circus is going to Spa this year - 11th Sept.

 

[Small_Fryz]

yay, the spa, last i knew it was cut. goodo, now we just need spa in GT5

 

[Blake]

We had Spa last season too.

Blake