The Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1

[Peter.]

The weather doesn't allow it though.

Does it really? We would still go to Europe during summer as we already do, cover most of the Asian and the Australian GPs at the start of the year as we do already, and it doesn't snow in Austin or Sau Paulo. The only real problem races would be Canada if we moved it to around the time of the US and Brazilian races, or grouping the Middle East races with Europe in the summer, but that's only about three races out of 20.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

It's not just weather too, there's also local events, etc. that F1 has to work its way around. The Australian GP was swapped around with Bahrain a few years back for the cricket, if I recall correctly.

 

[m8h3r]

It's not just weather too, there's also local events, etc. that F1 has to work its way around. The Australian GP was swapped around with Bahrain a few years back for the cricket, if I recall correctly.

I dunno, I read somewhere that this year on 1 weekend we go I think the Wimbledon final, Euro 2016 Final and Silverstone. I'm surprised Bernie let that stay on that weekend.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

You also have to take into consideration events in competition with one another, particularly outside Europe. Sepang and Singapore resisted attempts to partner them up for years because they were both concerned that the other would steal spectators away; if there was a gap, people would be more likely to attend both. Likewise, I wouldn't pair Sochi with Baku - their proximity might make it convenient, but if they're fighting one another for numbers, people who would ordinarily go to both might be tempted to go to one and pick a third event like Hungary.

The only real problem races would be Canada if we moved it to around the time of the US and Brazilian races

Say there are two races in the United States; Austin, and for the sake of argument, Watkins Glen. You could partner Montreal and Watkins Glen early in the year, and Austin with Mexico City later on.

The Australian GP was swapped around with Bahrain a few years back for the cricket, if I recall correctly.

Back in 2006? I think it was the Commonwealth Games. But I can't be sure, because the network is the only one who cares about it.

 

[Tired Tyres]

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.

Bridge? You seem to referring to a different track to me. The one I'm referring to ran from 1975 to 1985. I have no issue with the current version compared to its predecessor and its oh so precious Bridge.

 

[TenEightyOne]

The only real problem races would be Canada if we moved it to around the time of the US and Brazilian races, or grouping the Middle East races with Europe in the summer,.

And monsoon season around Singapore, of course. That kaiboshes the whole plan you made, no?

 

[MatskiMonk]

Silverstone is a dull, desolate and over-rated venue, and in need of an enema to remove its opinion of itself from it's own arse. Actually, I guess it suits F1 quite well.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Silverstone is a dull, desolate and over-rated venue, and in need of an enema to remove its opinion of itself from it's own arse. Actually, I guess it suits F1 quite well.

I wonder if the new owners will have any changes in mind?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Silverstone is a dull, desolate and over-rated venue, and in need of an enema to remove its opinion of itself from it's own arse.

It's weird that British motorsport has this cult of personality surrounding Silverstone. You've got Silverstone, which is good for Formula One, MotoGP and the WEC, and then everything else is built around the BTCC. I can't think of any other country that has just one circuit built for major events.

 

[MatskiMonk]

It's weird that British motorsport has this cult of personality surrounding Silverstone. You've got Silverstone, which is good for Formula One, MotoGP and the WEC, and then everything else is built around the BTCC. I can't think of any other country that has just one circuit built for major events.

With no bigger series to hold than the BTCC, and no way of hosting a top level event such as F1, why would the other circuits be built around anything else? And, how would any circuit get the chance?

Spoiler: Slightly Off-Topic Rant

Silverstone being worthy of a tagline such as "Because it's Silverstone" is nothing but a self perpetuating bull-crap myth. I don't care how many hotels they build there, how many opportunities to build skills for young people on motorsport they offer, or how many business complexes they build, it's still going to be the venue I don't want to go to in the UK, and yet it's the nearest to me.

Sorry if I sound ranty, but I hate Silverstone, I didn't go to the WEC race the other weekend because I've had enough of that place, despite wanting to see this years cars in the flesh, and having been offered free entry by a 'friend' involved with the WEC.

edit: regarding the bit in bold, it might also be worth considering that we have more circuits per area than most other countries in Europe, as well as one of the highest number of circuits. I guess it might be difficult to sustain another major international venue, though Brands can't be too far off.

 

[TenEightyOne]

It's weird that British motorsport has this cult of personality surrounding Silverstone. You've got Silverstone, which is good for Formula One, MotoGP and the WEC, and then everything else is built around the BTCC. I can't think of any other country that has just one circuit built for major events.

Two if you count Donington Park. @MatskiMonk said it best though, there's no chance of any other circuit getting a shot at F1 (at least not as things currently stand) so what's the point in that kind of investment?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Two if you count Donington Park. @MatskiMonk said it best though, there's no chance of any other circuit getting a shot at F1 (at least not as things currently stand) so what's the point in that kind of investment?

Because it's not just about Formula One.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Because it's not just about Formula One.

If it's WEC then there are several other nearby circuits for Brits, for me personally it's as easy to get to Spa and nearly as easy to get to Nurburgring as it is to get to Silverstone. There's also tons of club racing all over the country if people want to go to see that - both in cars and on motorcycles. NI isn't too far away and nor is the Isle of Man for those who want really mental motorcycling.

In all the big series aren't the be-all-and-end-all and there aren't too many circuits with either the resources or the motivation to pitch for the huge events - Silverstone and Donington have done that and competing with those wouldn't necessarily see any return.

 

[Peter.]

Silverstone is a dull, desolate and over-rated venue, and in need of an enema to remove its opinion of itself from it's own arse. Actually, I guess it suits F1 quite well.

I don't even remember it producing any particularly good races in its old format, either. Not at least without some rain. It had next to no overtaking opportunities and stopped being so spectacular once the cars had the downforce to be on rails in every corner. Then you hear so many people bash the new format as if it's ruined it when it has neither ruined it, nor was it ever that good anyway.

It's new vs old Hockenheim all over again.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I think the appeal of Silverstone lies in its high-speed corners. There's really nothing like the run from Woodcote to Club anywhere else in the world (I know COTA imitated it). That's why I really like the new layout - the new Abbey and Farm keep that high-speed philosophy. And you can accelerate through Aintree, which is tricky because it's actually pretty sharp.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Because it's not just about Formula One.

In terms of circuit infrastructure it kind of is. No other series places a higher demand on a circuit's infrastructure. Infrastructure costs money, and to generate that money you need bums on seats ... and for some reason, no other series gets bums on seats quite as readily.

Edit: I'm only really considering 4 wheeled races here since it's been even longer since I went to a bike race at Silverstone than a GP.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

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

Magny-Cours wasn't located near much, either. If it was managed properly, it could work - there is appeal in being able to say that you host a round of a World Championship. The problem Barber has is that it would need an upgrade of its facilities. Not just the pits, but spectator facilities, accomodation and access. And while the circuit is technically long enough to host Formula One, it would probably need a bit of an extension to stop congestion.

 

[twitcher]

Tires for Austria selected by Pirelli....article doesn't mention anything about a new track configuration, so I'm guessing this speculated expansion won't be used this year.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/pirelli-selects-ultrasoft-f1-tyres-for-austrian-gp-702319/

 

[Samus]

Tires for Austria selected by Pirelli....article doesn't mention anything about a new track configuration, so I'm guessing this speculated expansion won't be used this year.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/pirelli-selects-ultrasoft-f1-tyres-for-austrian-gp-702319/

No we'd definitely have heard about that by now if it was happening this year, or even at all for F1. Mind you I'm surprised we've not seen anything more on it, you'd have thought someone would have flown a chopper over the area and got an overview of what they're doing.

 

[Robin]

Silverstone is a dull, desolate and over-rated venue, and in need of an enema to remove its opinion of itself from it's own arse. Actually, I guess it suits F1 quite well.

Silverstone is an utter embarrassment and possibly the worst maintained track on the calendar, our main grandstand is some scaffolding with a tarp over it! atrocious! Chronically underfunded and hasn't died off years ago because most of the F1 business is run from the UK and has many Brits involved at a high level. We see lavishly built brand new tracks disappear after a few years but Silverstone remains just because it's Silverstone

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If the race is anything like the production values of this video, Baku is going to be epic.

I'm also wondering how long it will be before there is an Indonesian Grand Prix - in addition to Rio Haryanto racing for Manor, Pertamina have put their name to Campos Racing in GP2 (the team is even competing under an Indonesian licence) and there is more Indonesian investment in drivers. Granted, neither Sean Gelael nor Philo Paz Armand have any business being in GP2 - much less Formula One - but Indonesia is a pretty big market. After all, Rio Haryanto nearly won Driver of the Day in Melbourne; FOM disqualified him because they felt that the votes were disproportionately high, but they apparently didn't realise that he's extraordinarily popular in Indonesia. Evidently there is a massive market to be tapped into, even if it is reasonably close geographically to Malaysia and Singapore.

There was an attempt to get a race going at Sentul in the 1990s, but then the Asian Economic Crisis hit and Suharto was impeached, and they tried to get an A1GP race going at Lompo Village, but the series collapsed.

 

[twitcher]

I have reservations about F1 being in Baku, but I'm actually excited for the track itself. With the long straights, it reminds me of a proper old school street circuit. I'll wait until after the race to make a final judgement.

 

[Samus]

I have reservations about F1 being in Baku, but I'm actually excited for the track itself. With the long straights, it reminds me of a proper old school street circuit. I'll wait until after the race to make a final judgement.

I like that it is actually a genuine street circuit, through real streets packed with buildings. With Valencia, Russia and probably another I'm forgetting way too many "street circuits" recently have been anything but. Valencia was just around an empty dock and Russia is just around the Olympic Park, no sign of any real streets.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Can someone at the Circuit de Catalunya please remove the disgusting final chicane and make the final turn tighter. It was put in to help overtaking, but it just made a fast corner you cant follow people through into an acceleration zone which turbulent air from the car ahead destroys your chance to follow. Overtakes in the GP2 race today were only just possible even with a lot of help from DRS.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Or just get rid of downforce that messes up racing instead.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Or just get rid of downforce that messes up racing instead.

Fat chance - the teams won't agree to anything that potentially jeopardises their positions.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Or just get rid of downforce that messes up racing instead.

How slow would the cars be then? Imagine watching them trying to do a lap of Silverstone, or Monaco. It would be painful to see.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

How slow would the cars be then? Imagine watching them trying to do a lap of Silverstone, or Monaco. It would be painful to see.

Why do the cars have to be fast for the racing to be brilliant? GP2 cars were lapping in the 1:34s, and there was some really close racing (until Sirotkin binned it).

 

[twitcher]

Because F1 must be the fastest. It can't live with itself otherwise.


How much more downforce do F1 cars have compared to LMP1 cars? They race on the same tracks, but the LMP1 don't seem to have the same issues with turbulent air. Is it because the LMP1 cars are so different in the way they make their lap time compared to the F1 cars which are all so similar?

 

[DK]

IIRC LMP1s have more downforce, but any advantage they could have over F1 cars is neutralised by their heavier weight.