The Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1

[prisonermonkeys]

Mexico have already stolen that accolade anyway.

In that case, being third-best might be a blow to Monza's pride.

 

[Jimlaad43]

After resurfacing at the Red Bull Ring, pole time for next weekend's Austrian GP is expected to be in the 1:06 or 1:05s
http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/analysis-f1-teams-expect-record-lap-times-at-red-bull-ring-791855/

The article also includes a nice list of the quickest pole times in terms of laptime.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

After resurfacing at the Red Bull Ring, pole time for next weekend's Austrian GP is expected to be in the 1:06 or 1:05s

I'm guessing that's because MotoGP is racing there later in the year. Although they're never fussed about following Formula One, since they all complain that the downforce from the cars disrupts the surface.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Aerial shots of the Red Bull Ring show little bits and pieces of development around the circuit, mostly near turns 1 and 2, though the camera angles appear to be deliberately positioned to keep as much of it out of sight as possible. However, what can be seen appears to be consistent with this image, though I don't know how authentic it is:

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Update: first, the above appears to be a fan-made concept and not an actual plan.

Secondly - and more importantly - the old Osterreichring loop could be revived for 2017, particularly since Dietrich Materschitz has passed on buying the Salzburgring:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/125068/old-osterreichring-loop-could-return-for-2017

It has been speculated that getting the extra mile of circuit up to standard would take just a few months, and would open up the possibility of other series visiting, like the WEC.

 

[Samus]

Update: first, the above appears to be a fan-made concept and not an actual plan.

Secondly - and more importantly - the old Osterreichring loop could be revived for 2017, particularly since Dietrich Materschitz has passed on buying the Salzburgring:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/125068/old-osterreichring-loop-could-return-for-2017

It has been speculated that getting the extra mile of circuit up to standard would take just a few months, and would open up the possibility of other series visiting, like the WEC.

Interesting, I guess that could expain why the pictures of the new first chicane show it's still rather open in the sense that no corner has really been defined properly yet. Leaving themselves they option to make it suitable for proper racing, I guess.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Interesting, I guess that could expain why the pictures of the new first chicane show it's still rather open in the sense that no corner has really been defined properly yet.

I'm not really sure what they're doing there. They have sealed the old loop up over the crest, then stuck a piddly little chicane in and then have apparently given up. Aerial shots - in the dry at least - clearly show the old loop, and everything from the old Hella Licht up through Tirok is a really pale strip of tarmac that is apparently being used for parking. Then it becomes the dark tarmac again on the approach to Remus.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Moved this discussion here from the British GP thread.

I'd disagree. It always seemed to be like a half assed attempt at a circuit. First half is simply two long straights and the second half was just a series of left right quick corners to join it up again. The only thing I liked about it was the long sweeping turn 10.

Tilke also used his work at Buddh as a template for the Circuit of the Americas, which is another track the drivers love, except the fans also seem to like that one.

It seems as though most of Tilke's tracks have come from a set template and that's why personally I feel a lack of character with many of them.

If only there was a way to take the top half - turns 3 to 12 - of Korea, and link it to the back half - turns 5 to 15 - of Buddh; that would make a pretty awesome driver's circuit.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Then it would be something like Suzuka, where racing is useless because there's nowhere to overtake.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Then it would be something like Suzuka, where racing is useless because there's nowhere to overtake.

But at least it would be fun to drive.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Then it would be something like Suzuka, where racing is useless because there's nowhere to overtake.

Except for the race where they forgot to tell Kobayashi that.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Except for the race where they forgot to tell Kobayashi that.

I think you need to be more specific, because that describes just about every race Kobayashi took part in.

 

[FutureF1]

Imola apparently signed a deal with Bernie. Waiting for ACI to approve. Might be a move to get Monza to pay up more for the 2017 deal...

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/imola-signs-agreement-with-ecclestone-for-italian-gp-798879/


On an unrelated note, Hungaroring has been repaved(again?) and Pirelli reckons the laps record can be broken.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

I'd be surprised if Monza didn't react and let Imola take over the Italian GP completely. An alternating agreement would be the likeliest outcome I think but I'd love it if Monza carried on with the Italian GP and Imola had the San Marino GP return.

 

[Liquid]

Imola to return?

I'm okay with this.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Name the last good race to happen at Monza in the dry? A change would be fine, but Italy has to stay on the calendar.

 

[Samus]

Name the last good race to happen at Monza in the dry? A change would be fine, but Italy has to stay on the calendar.

Not many in the last 20 years. 2004 and 2008 are the only two that really stand out, the latter wet. I'm certainly not of the group that believes we MUST have Monza. There are other circuits now with plenty of speed thanks to the Tilke straights so Monza really isn't all that special no matter how many people talk about the "theatre of speed" IMO.

I'd be happy to go back to Imola for a few years. People say the races there were processional, and they mostly were, but heck, if Budapest can suddenly start producing good races who knows, Imola might do now as well. We've not been there in a long time and never on the newest layout without the final chicken.

 

[Jimlaad43]

final chicken.

 

[Pupik]

without the final chicken.

Variante alta is on top, variante basa is below, and pairs nicely with an aqua minerali and piratello sauce:

 

[TenEightyOne]

Bernie has approved a proposal for Imola to host the Italian GP from 2017, or so we're told by Motorsport.com. That is, of course, if Monza find themselves unable.

They go on to claim that the money availble for Monza's bid will not be made available for Imola... so they're suing.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Sepang International Circuit has seen some update ahead of this years Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Malaysian GP, which usually took place in the early part of the season in recent years, hosts this year’s race on the 2nd of October. The track, which usually proves to be rather challenging and demanding due to the high temperatures and humidity, has gone through some changes for 2016 over the winter.

The entire track was resurfaced. The work was carried out by Dromo, an Italian design firm.

Turn two, five and fifteen were modified in terms of “ the gradient of the track,” said Roy Ramesh, the Sepang track officier to f1technical.net.

Turn two became smoother because the sharp drop has been eliminated. It means an easier, smoother exit is now possbile out of the slowish turn onto the following long full-throttle section.

Furthermore, the works also aimed “the improvement of the drainage system.” It often plays a big role as heavy, sudden showers are not unknown in Malaysia.

Most of the changes were made in the hope of making overtaking easier on the high-speed track of Sepang.

The new date for the Malaysian GP also means a logistical ‘relief’ as the previous race takes place in Singapore which makes the transportation of the cars and equipment much more easier then before.

“Our team in Sepang Circuit are consistently in contact with the appointed logistic to ensure smoothness of the transportation in/out of the circuit,” concluded Ramesh to f1technical.net.

Souce: http://www.f1technical.net/news/21003

In case you're having a hard time visualising, here's an on-board video featuring the updated circuit:

 

[Harakudoshi]

Sepang International Circuit has seen some update ahead of this years Malaysian Grand Prix.


Souce: http://www.f1technical.net/news/21003

In case you're having a hard time visualising, here's an on-board video featuring the updated circuit:

They made it even more a snore lap by removing what little character it had, then?

 

[NFSCARBON1]

Sepang International Circuit has seen some update ahead of this years Malaysian Grand Prix.


Souce: http://www.f1technical.net/news/21003

In case you're having a hard time visualising, here's an on-board video featuring the updated circuit:

Why the obsession with negative camber? Constant understeer sounds fun in cars that cannot follow closely at the best of times.

 

[Harakudoshi]

Why the obsession with negative camber? Constant understeer sounds fun in cars that cannot follow closely at the best of times.

'Difficulty'. It's BS, Yas Marina has negative camber on practically every corner as well.
Makes it a pain and unrewarding to drive circuits like that, and makes it harder to follow closely. Yet another reason Tilkedromes are a scourge.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Cars three wheeling through turn 2 was one of the best parts of this track though...

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Agreed, the changes aren't what's needed for better racing but I do wonder if they also had water drainage in mind when making these changes.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Agreed, the changes aren't what's needed for better racing but I do wonder if they also had water drainage in mind when making these changes.

And MotoGP. The MotoGP riders get pretty cranky with Formula One because the cars generate lots of downforce which creates ripples in the tarmac.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The 2017 calendar has been released, with no real changes except China and Bahrain swapping places. However, Canada, Germany and Brazil have been listed as TBC:

https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016...ar-expansion-to-25-races-in-long-term-vision/

Canada is listed as TBC because the long-term infrastructure plan - particularly a new pit and paddock area - needs to be worked out.

Germany is TBC because the event-sharing arrangement between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring has expired, and a new deal needs to be negotiated.

As for Brazil, it is a "financial" issue that needs to be overcome, but the article suggests that it is friction between FOM and the local broadcasters driving it.

 

[TenEightyOne]

2018 may be Malaysia's last GP... back in 1999 they were the only Asian GP outside Japan, now they're not the only game in town and attendances are way down. BBC.