The Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1

[prisonermonkeys]

de Jong is still taking up a spot on the GP2 grid? What's this, his 5th season now?

Fourth full, fifth in total. His father owns a stake in MP Motorsport, so he'll be in the sport for a long as he wants to be. It's like Michael Herck; his father owned David Price Racing.

 

[IforceV8]

COTA confirmed. http://racing.blog.statesman.com/2016/03/09/cota-officials-confirm-f1-race-at-track-for-2016/

 

[GTPorsche]

I know they're not the shining beacon of reputable websites, but it is Adam Cooper's article.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/analysis-how-cota-used-taylor-swift-to-save-the-us-gp-678929/

I guess we've all got Taylor Swift to thank for the US GP remaining on the calendar. As silly as it might seem...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

As silly as it might seem...

Not at all. Taylor Swift secretly runs the world.

Of course, now that you know that, the men in black will need to pay you a visit ...

 

[GTPorsche]

 

[Furinkazen]

Be better revenue this year. They went mad for Formula E and WEC is later in year.

 

[GTPorsche]

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Apparently the sticking point is the changes Monza want to make to accomodate WSBK. It seems that Bernie isn't too happy with the potential impact on the Grand Prix circuit (especially since riders always whinge that the Formula One cars damage the circuit).

 

[Jimlaad43]

Italy and Britain are the only countries that have always held a GP in every F1 season. If Monza has to go, Imola or Mugello have Grade 1 licenses and the financial backing that they would be able to host a GP. No Italian GP would cause major problems with a certain red team.

 

[Lewis_Hamilton_]

I would absolutely hate to see Monza go, but if it were to be replaced, I would beg for Mugello over Imola.

 

[ukfan758]

I would be fine with Imola if it weren't for all of the chicanes.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I would be fine with Imola if it weren't for all of the chicanes.

As opposed to Monza, which is dominated by chicanes?

Besides, Imola has ironed a few out; Variante Bassa is long gone, and Acque Minerale has been simplified.

 

[twitcher]

I actually like the chicanes at Imola. Each of them is unique, plus there are some other great corners there. I just love seeing the F1 cars hammer the curbs there

 

[prisonermonkeys]

This could just be a ploy from Bernie. Monza want a more diverse range of events, but WSBK is nowhere near as prestigious as Formula One. Bernie's displeasure could be a warning that Monza should not compromise the Grand Prix for the sake of another, arguably lesser, event.

 

[ukfan758]

As opposed to Monza, which is dominated by chicanes?

Besides, Imola has ironed a few out; Variante Bassa is long gone, and Acque Minerale has been simplified.

I was discussing my support for Mugello (without mentioning the track which is my fault) over Imola after the person above my comment mentioned it.

 

[Samus]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I've never cared for Monza. It's had its moments but it just doesn't do much for me, generally speaking.

 

[Akmuq]

Same, overrated because it's one of the old circuits.

 

[twitcher]

I think it's easy for us couch racers to call Monza "overrated" because of the relative simple nature of the circuit, but it's easy to forget just how fast it actually is - it's still the fastest track on the calander, no? I think if more of us would know what it's like to do 300km/h+ down those straights, and be able to feel the G's in the massive braking zones, fewer people would call it "overrated".

 

[Tired Tyres]

I would absolutely hate to see Monza go, but if it were to be replaced, I would beg for Mugello over Imola.

What so they could butcher that track on the altar of F1? No thanks. 👎 It is far too good for F1.

 

[Samus]

I think it's easy for us couch racers to call Monza "overrated" because of the relative simple nature of the circuit, but it's easy to forget just how fast it actually is - it's still the fastest track on the calander, no? I think if more of us would know what it's like to do 300km/h+ down those straights, and be able to feel the G's in the massive braking zones, fewer people would call it "overrated".

Yeah but we can only rate tracks as spectators, that's what we are. We're not drivers. Drivers love Monaco but it's a total snooze for spectators 9/10 times.

Monza might seem more exciting if FOM didn't persist in using camera angles that don't show off speed, their favourite being head on. Most of the time you can't tell whether they're coming towards you at 100 or 200.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Baku will be the fastest street circuit in the world:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123450/baku-will-be-world-fastest-street-track

Tilke reckons that the ultra-narrow Turn 8 will be taken at 200km/h.

 

[m8h3r]

Jesus, that's gonna hurt if you misjudge the turn.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Viva Las Bernie!

http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/03/29/ecclestone-reveals-las-vegas-f1-race-contract/

 

[GTPorsche]

Where on the strip will the GP take place then?

 

[RazorSharkz]

Las Vegas is a great venue for a racetrack honestly. Part of me wants to see the speedway used so that we could see banked turns in F1 again but I doubt it. The bright lights of the strip would make for a great backdrop for a race.

I hope that COTA doesn't go away, but the bigger question (or not) is what to do about Port Imperial?

That article also mentions the possible loss of Monza saddens me, I love that track personally.

 

[GTPorsche]

Port Imperial is not happening.

 

[RazorSharkz]

Port Imperial is not happening.

Forever? I keep reading next year or whatever. I take it with a grain of salt but I haven't seen anything saying it will never happen.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Because it seems to have been quietly dropped. You appear to be the last person who believes that it will happen.

 

[RazorSharkz]

Because it seems to have been quietly dropped. You appear to be the last person who believes that it will happen.

Wikipedia has under "Failed Race Bids" a paragraph on how the race is simply postponed another year. They still have a 15 year contract too(there are also paragraphs on India and South Korea). It's not like I believe it will happen, it's that I don't have a reason to believe it never will.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Wikipedia has under "Failed Race Bids" a paragraph on how the race is simply postponed another year.

As a regular contributor to those articles, I have frequently opposed its continued inclusion