The Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1 

This is the problem, currently only two US tracks are Grade 1, COTA and IMS. The rest vary from being not far off to not being close. So you have two options, brand new Tilkedromes or butchering classic circuits just to accommodate F1. Neither prospect seems like a good one to me.
For the most part I agree, although I don't think its gaurenteed that a track needs to be butchered to be brought to Grade 1 status. Suzuka and Interlagos being the best two examples I can think of, although my gut tells me there is a certain amount of "grandfathering" involved.

I know not everyone feels the same as I do, but I actually quite like the new Silverstone, same thing for Spa. My only gripe with these two tracks is the abuse of track limits at a few key areas. Overall though, I think both circuits do a good job of preserving some of the classic corners, while still being modern facilities.

I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I also like Redbull Ring. The old Osterichring was amazing, and part of me is sad that it's gone forever, but at the same time, I think it would be rather poor for racing in the majority of modern race cars. Actually it would probably still be great for the drivers, but I think it would be extremely processional. Cars unable to follow through all the high speed corners, and not really many heavy braking zones. If they actually do complete the expansion we've seen pictures of, I have a feeling it will be quite special. Still has the scenery, the elevation change, the sweepers in the infield section....just with more acceleration and braking, and better passing opportunities.

Road America and Watkins Glen are both prime candidates in my opinion. I don't think much, if any, of the configuration would need to change at either. The biggest issues would be over facilities, and how little runoff there is in certain areas - The Glen probably being the trickier of the two to push everything back. Then again, Whiting did say it was fit to host a GP, so what do I know :lol: More than physical harm to the track though, I worry what kind of financial hoops those tracks would have to go through to both upgrade the track and then pay for the circus to come to town.
 
Watkins Glen just got a repave. That couldn't hurt its chances.

Turn 1 has massive paved runoff. The esses could be tricky, as I don't know if they'd have to push the guardrails back or not. The bus stop is fine. Maybe they need some more runoff on the carousel, though maybe not as much as NASCAR because the F1 cars would probably be using the boot, leaving the carousel earlier. And since the bus stop is right before it, they might not have built up enough speed to necessitate a bunch of runoff space anyway. I honestly don't know anything about the boot. It probably would need some upgrades and updates if I had to guess. I believe they added a bunch of runoff in turn 10 a couple years ago. Finally, I don't know if they'd have to make changes to turn 11. The wall is right there next to the edge of the track with grandstands as well.
 
It may look safe and F1 ready to us in some sections (others need obvious work), but do those things concur with the FIA's qualifications for a Grade 1 circuit?
 
It's also not just about the track itself and run offs, it's the overall infrastructure with regards to stuff like marshal posts, accessibility around the track, the pit complex, even the rooms available.

About the track itself though it looks like it'd need a lot of work to me. The catch fencing around the entire site doesn't look up to F1 spec and isn't present at all in many spots, wouldn't be acceptable. The back straight would need new barriers and fencing all the way along, as would the outside of the outer loop for example. Most of the kerbs would need replacing, too thin and raised. The exit of the inner loop would need way more run off on the left, not just a bunch of tyres. Same with the Chute. Probably not satisfactory run-off and safety features in the last turn either.

Honestly a track like WG wouldn't be recognisable once upgraded for F1.
 
6 races would be fun to see, but quite a task. There a quite a few options that I'd like to see.

Cota(obvious)
Vegas (obvious)
Watkins Glen (great racing, maybe a little unsafe, but could likely be modified)
Sonoma (Probably the most technical American track, possibly to narrow though)
Long Beach (Great destination in LA, I love the track but not much runoff)
Laguna Seca (Probably a bit narrow)
Daytona(with some modification the banking could provide some brilliant racing)
Sebring(maybe a bit narrow)
Barber Motorsports Park(Indy car has great racing there, I imagine F1 would compliment it)
St. Petersburg(Same as Barber)
Lime Rock (I feel it would create great racing simply because the track is short and lapped traffic will affect the race positively)
Road Atlanta (Probably most likely for an existing track, a personal favorite)
Road America(Perfect venue really, surprised it hasn't been used yet.)

Sorry for the wall of text, but this would be be pretty hype if it happened.
 
Indianapolis (doubts as to whether or not they'd want the race back), Barber Motorsports Park (Maybe a bit short, too close to Austin? Otherwise ideal), Watkins Glen (needs major upgrades, New Jersey would have been preferable), Long Beach (Too bumpy, too short, probably not up to grade 1 standards by any means), and Road America (Needs major upgrades) would be my bets for existing tracks; but other than Indy and Barber which might stand a chance I'd expect new circuits if the six US races thing went ahead.

Austin, Indy, Barber, Las Vegas, somewhere north of LA, and somewhere near New York. I'd place my bets on them. Possibly exchange Indy and/or Barber for somewhere in Florida and maybe Seattle or Vancouver, with somewhere in the vicinity of DC also a possibility if the race near New York was far enough north.

Of course, I doubt six US races and a twenty five race season would happen, it'd be a logistical nightmare and a major gamble for all involved when it would be safer for F1 to shrink its presence outside of Europe and focus on its more traditional markets where many ideal circuits already exist for the series to race at.

Oh wait, this is Formula 1.

Ten US races in a forty two race schedule, here we come...
  1. Kylami - February
  2. Melbourne - March
  3. Interlagos - March
  4. Mexico City - March
  5. California - April
  6. Austin - April
  7. Iberia (Algarve/Estoril/Aragon/... Okay... Catalunya...) - May
  8. Imola - May
  9. Monaco - May
  10. Indianapolis - June
  11. Montreal - June
  12. New York - July
  13. Silverstone - July
  14. Hockenheim - July
  15. Red Bull Ring - August
  16. Spa - September
  17. Monza - September
  18. Suzuka - October
  19. Singapore - October
  20. Barber - November
  21. Las Vegas - November

Same number of races as this season, a bunch of US races, as logistically reasonable as possible.
 
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6 races would be fun to see, but quite a task. There a quite a few options that I'd like to see.

Cota(obvious)
Vegas (obvious)
Watkins Glen (great racing, maybe a little unsafe, but could likely be modified)
Sonoma (Probably the most technical American track, possibly to narrow though)
Long Beach (Great destination in LA, I love the track but not much runoff)
Laguna Seca (Probably a bit narrow)
Daytona(with some modification the banking could provide some brilliant racing)
Sebring(maybe a bit narrow)
Barber Motorsports Park(Indy car has great racing there, I imagine F1 would compliment it)
St. Petersburg(Same as Barber)
Lime Rock (I feel it would create great racing simply because the track is short and lapped traffic will affect the race positively)
Road Atlanta (Probably most likely for an existing track, a personal favorite)
Road America(Perfect venue really, surprised it hasn't been used yet.)

Sorry for the wall of text, but this would be be pretty hype if it happened.

Hardly any of those tracks have facilities suitable for Formula 1, apart from COTA. On thing about the American tracks too, is that they all have a pit wall separating the crew from the lane instead of garages directly connecting.

Watkins Glen: Porbably the second best track that the U.S have for F1, although many changes would be made, to the track itself, and its surroundings.

Sonoma: Too short and twisty, would be crap for Formula 1, facilities are miles off being up to scratch.

Long Beach: Too short.

Laguna Seca: Again, too short for the modern Grand Prix circuit. And facilities just aren't good enough.

Daytona: Would never happen considering the start finish line is on the banking. And there's no way in hell that NASCAR would want garages being connecting directly on the the pit lane.

Sebring: With large modifications and facilities upgrade, it could possibly be the most realistic option so far. Although it would be incredibly expensive to upgrade and modify to F1 spec.

Barber: I like the track for other forms of racing, but I can't see F1 being enjoyable for it.

St Petersburg: Too short, to twisty, it staggers me that Indycar still race here with the speeds that they do.

Lime Rock: How is even in the discussion? Formula 1 would be terrible here. Lydden Hill would be more likely to one day get a Formula 1 race than Lime Rock.

Road Atlanta: Not a bad choice for track, although it possibly be a bit short. Facilities would need an overhaul, but track layout could be interesting.

Road America: The track in my opinion that F1 would be best at. Only two major modifications to the track would be needed (Run off at the Kink, and possibly having the carousel squared off to lower speeds, which isn't good I know). But facilities would need work.


To be honest, I can't see Formula 1 even going to any of these existing tracks.
 
I know not everyone feels the same as I do, but I actually quite like the new Silverstone, same thing for Spa. My only gripe with these two tracks is the abuse of track limits at a few key areas. Overall though, I think both circuits do a good job of preserving some of the classic corners, while still being modern facilities.

Don't think Silverstone has a single corner that existed or hasn't been substantially re-profiled since the 90's - let alone the 50's or 60's. Depends on what era you class as 'classic' i suppose.
 
Six races? As much as I'd like to side with Bernie on this one, two might be the most the F1 circus can handle.

Barber: nice facility, but not located near much. Wouldn't mind it because it's 2.5 hours from home.

Glen: poor runoff in many areas. Turn One is about it, safety-wise...stuck in the mid-1970s; looks a bit dumpy in places. Good nostalgia value, drivers and teams used to really dig the autumn weather.

Sonoma: maybe, last quarter of circuit looks unprofessional.

Sebring: too bumpy for F1 cars. It's a disused airfield...but that didn't stop Silverstone from making it like a proper facility. Sebring looks like a fifty-year-old construction project that never finished.

Lime Rock: Too short. Nice track, though.

Road Atlanta: nice track in middle of nowhere; 1.5 hours from Atlanta. Might be just enough of a distance. Road Atlanta gets a good sports-car crowd, but I think F1 fans are a bit limited in the area. Wouldn't mind it.

Road America: nice track with lots of space but a bit isolated. Might work as legacy racing fanbase has always visited races there. Like Road Atlanta, it makes the most of natural elevation changes.

Is Portland International Raceway at least 3.2km long? Seems to be an up-and-coming area for weirdness, seems like a rainier version of Austin, has an international airport. Not sure if "expensive motorsports series" fits with a younger generation in that area.

Eh, I'm not sold on Las Vegas. Fickle and flat place nearly entirely built on indoor tourism.

I can't fathom a return to Long Beach - there's reasons the promoters didn't want F1 after 1983. Without the drop at Linden, it's not that special.

Miami? Maybe. Good international flavor, but another fickle race place, if it's not early or very late in the year. I think folks are fed up with street circuits.

Miller Motorsports Park? Wide open, long circuit, nice background scenery...to be fair, I don't know much about it.
 
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Road America: The track in my opinion that F1 would be best at. Only two major modifications to the track would be needed (Run off at the Kink, and possibly having the carousel squared off to lower speeds, which isn't good I know). But facilities would need work.

They could install safer barriers at the kink without needing extra runoff.
Interlagos had these barriers installed in one of the final corners:
image.jpeg
 
possibly having the carousel squared off to lower speeds, which isn't good I know
It would not be difficult to modify the corner without compromising it. All they would have to do is add a minor extension on the outside of the corner. Kind of like the modifications made to Silverstone for MotoGP.

Sonoma: maybe, last quarter of circuit looks unprofessional.
You could possibly get around it with some changes to the configuration. The problem is that there appears to be an arterial road immediately due east of the circuit, so options are limited unless you either re-routed it, or took the extreme option of looping around to the west with an entirely new section of track.
 
This is a calendar I wouldn't mind.

Round 1: Melbourne
Round 2: Sepang International Circuit
Round 3: Bahrain International Circuit
Round 4: Kyalami
Round 5: Imola
Round 6: Catalunya
Round 7: Portimao
Round 8: Monaco
Round 9: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Round 10: Watkins Glen
Round 11: Road America
Round 12: Silverstone
Round 13: Donington Park
Round 14: Red Bull Ring
Round 15: Hockenheim/Nurburgring
Round 16: Assen
Round 17: Spa
Round 18: Monza
Round 19: Singapore
Round 20: Suzuka
Round 21: Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez
Round 22: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Round 23: Interlagos
 
This is a calendar I wouldn't mind.

Round 1: Melbourne
Round 2: Sepang International Circuit
Round 3: Bahrain International Circuit
Round 4: Kyalami
Round 5: Imola
Round 6: Catalunya
Round 7: Portimao
Round 8: Monaco
Round 9: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Round 10: Watkins Glen
Round 11: Road America
Round 12: Silverstone
Round 13: Donington Park
Round 14: Red Bull Ring
Round 15: Hockenheim/Nurburgring
Round 16: Assen
Round 17: Spa
Round 18: Monza
Round 19: Singapore
Round 20: Suzuka
Round 21: Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez
Round 22: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Round 23: Interlagos
Now that would be an awesome calendar! Do you mind if I bribe FOM/FIA to put you on the schedule team? :lol:
 
Don't think Silverstone has a single corner that existed or hasn't been substantially re-profiled since the 90's - let alone the 50's or 60's. Depends on what era you class as 'classic' i suppose.
Well the people who did the newest upgrades can hardly be held responsible for the changes made throughout the 80s and 90s.

That said, Stowe, Cops, and Woodcoat still have an original feel to them. Maggots, Beckets, Chapel is basically the same today as it was back in the 90s, which to me, is a better layout that the original section. Same thing with Luffield.

The new turns 1 and 2 have a feeling similar to the old (80s) Maggots, which was a high speed left kink. Aintree feels very much like the old (80s) Chapel.

To me, Silverstone is a track that has got progressively better with each upgrade. The original original version would be terrible today. It was like an oval with square corners.
 
If I was in charge next season would have a calendar looking like this:

1. Monaco Grand Prix - Monaco - 9 April 2017
2. Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya - 23 April 2017
3. European Grand Prix - Baku - 7 May 2017
4. Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal - 21 May 2017
5. Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring - 4 June 2017
6. British Grand Prix - Silverstone - 2 July 2017
7. Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring - 16 July 2017
8. German Grand Prix - Hockenheim - 30 July 2017
9. Belgian Grand Prix - Spa Francorchamps - 27 August 2017
10. Italian Grand Prix - Monza - 10 September 2017
11. Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay - 24 September 2017
12. Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka - 8 October 2017
13. United States Grand Prix - Austin - 22 October 2017
14. Mexican Grand Prix - Mexico City - 5 November 2017
15. Brazillian Grand Prix - Interlagos - 19 November 2017
16. Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne - 3 December 2017

But of course that'd never happen. Even though it would be good for the sport, reducing the costs of constant travel, giving audiences more of a break between races so they don't get bored, and placing more of a focus on interesting tracks.

The glamour of starting off in Monaco is somewhat irresistible, although moving Brazil and Australia back into March and continuing to kick off in Melbourne might also be a good idea, with Austin finishing instead.

1. Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne - 12 March 2017
2. Brazillian Grand Prix - Interlagos - 26 March 2017
3. Monaco Grand Prix - Monaco - 9 April 2017
4. Spanish Grand Prix - Catalunya - 23 April 2017
5. European Grand Prix - Baku - 7 May 2017
6. Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal - 21 May 2017
7. Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring - 4 June 2017
8. British Grand Prix - Silverstone - 2 July 2017
9. Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring - 16 July 2017
10. German Grand Prix - Hockenheim - 30 July 2017
11. Belgian Grand Prix - Spa Francorchamps - 27 August 2017
12. Italian Grand Prix - Monza - 10 September 2017
13. Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay - 24 September 2017
14. Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka - 8 October 2017
15. Mexican Grand Prix - Mexico City - 22 October 2017
16. United States Grand Prix - Austin - 5 November 2017

Personally I'd probably also like to switch out Baku for either Imola or somewhere in Portugal or France, but I'll give Baku a chance for now. Similarly I would have kept Bahrain for the circuit, but it loses out because of the location.
 
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I really like the Chang international circuit in Buriram. Sure it's by tilke but it has only a few corners. It's already grade 1 and I think a Thai GP would be quite nice
 
Thailand's pretty unstable politically at the moment. I'm not sure it'd make a great location for a grand prix. Other series race there though, and the track seems pretty popular, so maybe I'm wrong...
 
Well the people who did the newest upgrades can hardly be held responsible for the changes made throughout the 80s and 90s.

That said, Stowe, Cops, and Woodcoat still have an original feel to them. Maggots, Beckets, Chapel is basically the same today as it was back in the 90s, which to me, is a better layout that the original section. Same thing with Luffield.

The new turns 1 and 2 have a feeling similar to the old (80s) Maggots, which was a high speed left kink. Aintree feels very much like the old (80s) Chapel.

To me, Silverstone is a track that has got progressively better with each upgrade. The original original version would be terrible today. It was like an oval with square corners.

There was nothing wrong with the old Silverstone except the distinct lack of run off in places. It beats the hell out of what was subsequently done to it. Fast corners in themselves are not any easier than slow or medium speed corners - although given that Keke Rosberg lapped the chicaned version at an average of 160 MPH in the damp back in 1985 would give an indication what the speed would be like now. :eek:

It's so different now perhaps they should give it a new name. I suppose the best thing that did happen back in the day was when Brands Hatch lost the Grand Prix. That prevented that track being changed to the degree Silverstone was.
 
There was nothing wrong with the old Silverstone except the distinct lack of run off in places. It beats the hell out of what was subsequently done to it. Fast corners in themselves are not any easier than slow or medium speed corners - although given that Keke Rosberg lapped the chicaned version at an average of 160 MPH in the damp back in 1985 would give an indication what the speed would be like now. :eek:

It's so different now perhaps they should give it a new name. I suppose the best thing that did happen back in the day was when Brands Hatch lost the Grand Prix. That prevented that track being changed to the degree Silverstone was.
meh, the parts of Silverstone they replaced were nothing special. The only good corner that was lost was Bridge.

Vale is still pretty much the same.

Abby and Priory were nothing special. The new Abby is a beast compared to the old (90s) Abby.

New Abby and Farm Curve are amazing. Village and The Loop offer great passing, and require a car that can handle well at low speed. Aintree is a pretty challenging corner too.

Old Club and new Club are different, but kind of the same in my opinion...both a curved acceleration zone. If it weren't for the abuse of runoff at the new Club, I'd call them even.
 
meh, the parts of Silverstone they replaced were nothing special. The only good corner that was lost was Bridge.

Vale is still pretty much the same.

Abby and Priory were nothing special. The new Abby is a beast compared to the old (90s) Abby.

New Abby and Farm Curve are amazing. Village and The Loop offer great passing, and require a car that can handle well at low speed. Aintree is a pretty challenging corner too.

Old Club and new Club are different, but kind of the same in my opinion...both a curved acceleration zone. If it weren't for the abuse of runoff at the new Club, I'd call them even.
Club was specifically redesigned so it looked differently, but the racing line before and after is exactly the same.
 

"Small accident."

My idea of an F1 calendar would be a cost effective one where we aren't flying to different continents twice a year. The races should be grouped by region, moresources than it already is. Flying from Australia to Bahrain then to China then Russia is ridiculous.

Start the year with Australia, China, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Japan, then bunch the European and middle east races up together, and close things off in the Americas. It would make travel cheaper and easier for everyone.
 
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"Small accident."

My idea of an F1 calendar would be a cost effective one where we aren't flying to different continents twice a year. The races should be grouped by region, moresources than it already is. Flying from Australia to Bahrain then to China then Russia is ridiculous.

Start the year with Australia, China, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Japan, then bunch the European and middle east races up together, and close things off in the Americas. It would make travel cheaper and easier for everyone.

The weather doesn't allow it though.
 
There was nothing wrong with the old Silverstone except the distinct lack of run off in places.
What about the way everything from Abbey to Woodcote was pretty much single-file only? As the cars developed more and more downforce, the challenge of Bridge was killed off.

Although I am surprised that Silverstone didn't try and snare the World Rallycross Championship, seeing as how it is the Home of British Motorsport and Lydden Hill is rubbish. Send the cars up the Wellington Straight, cut across the run-off to Village - Aintree, the Loop and Farm become the joker - then down to Abbey where the cars turn right and take the old circuit back to Wellington. Sure, it means turning the old circuit to dirt, but it means that it gets used again. And seeing World RX cars drop through Bridge would be a sight to behold.
 
What about the way everything from Abbey to Woodcote was pretty much single-file only? As the cars developed more and more downforce, the challenge of Bridge was killed off.

You said it - cars fault not track. It isn't like Silverstone was the only track which had single file racing... in fact that's more common in F1 than overtaking generally.
 
You said it - cars fault not track. It isn't like Silverstone was the only track which had single file racing... in fact that's more common in F1 than overtaking generally.
And that's unlikely to change, even if downforce levels are cut for 2017.

At least the new circuit has created overtaking opportunities into Brooklands.
 

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