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Too Many European GPs?; Three European races could face axe
Topic Started: Mar 21 2006, 07:21 PM (534 Views)
timmadigan
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Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone warned Tuesday that at least three European races could face the axe from the world championship calendar.

Ecclestone said that with the growing number of countries vying to host events, the only solution would be to lose some of the existing organisers in the 18-race calendar.

"We have several host candidates, more than we can meet, and we can't increase the calendar endlessly," Ecclestone told French sports daily L'Equipe. "There are two Grands Prix in Italy, two in Germany ... more or less two in France if you consider that Monaco and France are related. I think that three Grands Prix could disappear without any problem."

Ecclestone said that even stalwarts like Monaco and Monza, which have been part of the circuit since the world championship series began, were not safe.

Asked if Monaco could disappear from the calendar, Ecclestone said: "That could happen, even if I don't wish it. Anything is always possible."

And he did not rule out a system of rotating Grand Prix events.

"Nothing is impossible but I don't envisage this solution. Rotation isn't viable for organisers. But on the other hand sooner or later it will be necessary to agree to lose certain Grand Prix."

The Belgian Grand Prix, axed from this year's calendar while the circuit at Spa-Francorchamps undergoes repairs and improvements, is expected to return next year despite fears it could become one of the casualties as Formula One begins to concentrate on a more globalised and less-European calendar.

AFP
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timmadigan
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I think Bernie may have a point. The multitude of races are in Europe because 1) that's where they have always been, so 2) most of the teams are based there.

I would prefer more races in non-European countries (Morocco, South Africa, India and/or a couple more in North/South America), to provide diversity and increased viewing/access by ALL of the supporters.
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timmadigan,Mar 21 2006
11:01 PM
I think Bernie may have a point. The multitude of races are in Europe because 1) that's where they have always been, so 2) most of the teams are based there.

I would prefer more races in non-European countries (Morocco, South Africa, India and/or a couple more in North/South America), to provide diversity and increased viewing/access by ALL of the supporters.

yes, but North America already has 2 races, and south america has one.

There's only a handfull of circuits in africa - none of which really suitable without some major work,

same goes for Asia.
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timmadigan
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North America = 2 races
South America = 1 race
Africa = 0 races
Australia = 1 race
Asia = 5 (if you include Turkey <erm>)
Europe = 9 races (10 when Spa comes back)

Since they run Australia on a road course, nothing says that couldn't also happen in Africa or South America?

And there are good tracks on those continents that have been used in the past and could easily be upgraded to be used again.
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Lex
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timmadigan,Mar 22 2006
12:45 AM
North America = 2 races
South America = 1 race
Africa = 0 races
Australia = 1 race
Asia = 5 (if you include Turkey <erm>)
Europe = 9 races (10 when Spa comes back)

Since they run Australia on a road course, nothing says that couldn't also happen in Africa or South America?

And there are good tracks on those continents that have been used in the past and could easily be upgraded to be used again.

well, Bernie's doing his damndest to price the Euro GP's out of the market, so it could be that we find the situation's reversed in a few years!
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Lord Tau
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It used to frustrate me during the Michael Schumacher/Ferrari dominance era where Schumi and Ferrari would have FOUR home GPs between them (Italy, San Marino, Germany & Europe).

Why can't they rotate the European GP? Have it at Nurburgring one year, then somewhere else the next, and then somewhere different the next and so on.
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Bugar Di Fino
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Lord Tau,Mar 22 2006
09:27 AM
It used to frustrate me during the Michael Schumacher/Ferrari dominance era where Schumi and Ferrari would have FOUR home GPs between them (Italy, San Marino, Germany & Europe).

Why can't they rotate the European GP? Have it at Nurburgring one year, then somewhere else the next, and then somewhere different the next and so on.

Well, if the NIMBYs get their way, Monza will be off the calendar soon.

<blink>
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Lord Tau
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At this rate, I expect the following countries to have Grands Prix over the next few years:

Vanuatu
Iraq
Taihiti
Kazakhstan
Federated States of Micronesia
The Vatican
Democratic Republic of Congo
Wales
Niue
Antarctica
Nicaragua
Outer Mongolia
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timmadigan,Mar 22 2006
12:45 AM
North America = 2 races
South America = 1 race
Africa = 0 races
Australia = 1 race
Asia = 5 (if you include Turkey <erm>)
Europe = 9 races (10 when Spa comes back)

Since they run Australia on a road course, nothing says that couldn't also happen in Africa or South America?

And there are good tracks on those continents that have been used in the past and could easily be upgraded to be used again.

That ain't nessasarily so.

To hold a GP, the circuit has to meet minimum requirement which governs the amount of run off, the type of barriers used and catch fencing. then the paddock has to be able to house nearly 200 trucks and have the infrastructure to supply all the teams, media and everyone else. The medical centre has to be up to a certain standard too.

if you have a circuit with basic facilities, it would cost millions to bring it up to standard, and then you have to pay £50m for the pleasure of holding the race...
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Norbert
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Junk Hockenheim, 'cos they've ruined it.
Junk San Marino, 'cos they've ruined it.
Junk Hungary, 'cos it's crap.
Junk the A1-Ring, 'cos it's crap.
Junk Magny Bore, 'cos it's crap.
Junk the Nurburging, 'cos it's crap.
Junk Indy, 'cos it's mickey mouse.
Bring back Estoril.
Bring back Jerez.
Bring back Kyalami
Bring back Buenos Aires (mad JCB driver permitting)
Go to Portland for the US GP

What about a track in New Zealand?
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Norbert,Mar 22 2006
10:29 AM
Junk Hockenheim, 'cos they've ruined it.
Junk San Marino, 'cos they've ruined it.
Junk Hungary, 'cos it's crap.
Junk the A1-Ring, 'cos it's crap.

They already have!
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Junk Magny Bore, 'cos it's crap.
Junk the Nurburging, 'cos it's crap.
Junk Indy, 'cos it's mickey mouse.
Bring back Estoril.
Bring back Jerez.
Bring back Kyalami
Bring back Buenos Aires (mad JCB driver permitting)
Go to Portland for the US GP
They'll ruin these in the name of saftey.
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What about a track in New Zealand?

I'm pretty sure there is a New Zealand track somewhere, but it would take a lot of work to make it good enough.
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Bugar Di Fino
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Norbert,Mar 22 2006
10:29 AM
What about a track in New Zealand?

A1 is going to Taupo so there's always hope!

Link - http://www.car.co.nz/race.asp?articleid=10...0e1b12f7d76e3b8
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Norbert
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The STIG,Mar 22 2006
10:36 AM
I'm pretty sure there is a New Zealand track somewhere, but it would take a lot of work to make it good enough.

V8 Supercars go there. Or is it Tasmania? I can't remember, but there's racetracks on more than one antipodean island....
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Bugar Di Fino
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Bugar Di Fino,Mar 22 2006
10:36 AM
Norbert,Mar 22 2006
10:29 AM
What about a track in New Zealand?

A1 is going to Taupo so there's always hope!

Link - http://www.car.co.nz/race.asp?articleid=10...0e1b12f7d76e3b8

Actually, having dug a bit deeper, and assuming this to be correct, it does not look like Taupo would ever be suitable as it is only 3.5km long. Even great lumbering V8s lap it in 1:40 (ave speed 84mph!) so F1 would probably be less than a minute a lap. <blink>

http://www.motorsport.org.nz/Circuits/taupo.htm

And there are only six proper circuits in the whole country.

http://www.motorsport.org.nz/Circuits/circuits.htm
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Lex,Mar 22 2006
04:55 AM
timmadigan,Mar 22 2006
12:45 AM
North America = 2 races
South America = 1 race
Africa = 0 races
Australia = 1 race
Asia = 5 (if you include Turkey <erm>)
Europe = 9 races (10 when Spa comes back)

Since they run Australia on a road course, nothing says that couldn't also happen in Africa or South America?

And there are good tracks on those continents that have been used in the past and could easily be upgraded to be used again.

well, Bernie's doing his damndest to price the Euro GP's out of the market, so it could be that we find the situation's reversed in a few years!

Missed this...

Thing is. Silverstone was a sell out last year, and the year before that. and this is with tickets at £100 a throw. why bother dropping the price if you sell all the tickets?
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