It cannot be argued with that Europe is the heartland of Formula One for drivers and
fans, with the presence of the Italian, Monaco, German & British Grand Prix
being on the calendar essentially every year since the beginning in 1950.
The decline over the past two decades of European Races
1994
|
11/16 (69%)
|
2004
|
10/18 (56%)
|
1995
|
11/17 (65%)
|
2005
|
11/19 (58%)
|
1996
|
11/16 (69%)
|
2006
|
10/18 (56%)
|
1997
|
12/17 (71%)
|
2007
|
9/17 (53%)
|
1998
|
11/16 (69%)
|
2008
|
10/18 (56%)
|
1999
|
11/16 (69%)
|
2009
|
9/17 (53%)
|
2000
|
11/17 (65%)
|
2010
|
9/19 (48%)
|
2001
|
11/17 (65%)
|
2011
|
9/19 (48%)
|
2002
|
11/17 (65%)
|
2012
|
8/20 (40%)
|
2003
|
10/16 (63%)
|
2013*
|
7/19 or 20 (37/35%)*
|
Even Belgium
has had 57 Grand Prix out of the 63 seasons that have taken place, yet all of
these historic and classic races and circuits have come under threat of being
axed over the past few years by F1 mastermind, Bernie Ecclestone for various
reasons. To many fans, the thought of the loss of Silverstone, Monza, Monaco or
Spa-Francorchamps is ludicrous, so with Bernie confirming ‘we’ll probably lose
two or three more races in Europe as we have to sort of move on’, many are
starting to heavily criticise this extreme as he fails to realise the passion
fans have for some events on the calender.
Can you imagine if only 5 European Grand Prix were on the calender?!
When it was
suggested Belgium’s Spa track would alternate with France or even be replaced
by France, some fans on forum’s have threatened to stop watching F1 as the loss
would be so big as one of the best race circuits on the calender.
 |
| Belgium's Spa Francorchamps Famous Eau Rouge Corner Getting Festive! |
Of course,
let’s not forget it is a World Championship, and the expansion into new
countries across various continents is totally understandable, and for the most
part has been largely successful. The spectacle of Singapore’s night race has
become quoted by many in the paddock as an instant ‘modern classic’, Abu
Dhabi’s spectacular facility has displayed improving races each year, whilst
Japan since the late 1980’s has been Asia’s most successful and traditional
long-term event, with many world championship deciders and classic races and
moments.
It is
apparent then both sides of the argument have positive points for expanding
away to new countries and circuits but similarly for keeping its routes in
proven grounds. Surely Bernie should not be so adamant it is time to move away
from Europe so dramatically, and instead find a balance.
Here’s a
proposed calendar for 2015 onwards, but what do you think?
Comment your
favourite preferences and share with everyone!
If you want to see my personal reasoning for everything, see below the calender.
Nick, F1 Hub
1)
Australian Grand Prix (Albert Park – Melbourne)
2)
Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang International
Circuit – Kuala Lumper)
3)
Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai International
Circuit – Shanghai)
4)
Spanish Grand Prix (Circuit de Catalunya –
Barcelona)*
5)
Monaco Grand Prix (Circuit de Monaco – Monte
Carlo)
6)
Canadian Grand Prix (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve –
Montreal)
7)
Grand Prix of America (Port Imperial Street
Circuit – New Jersey)
8)
Mexican/South African Grand Prix (Unknown –
Unknown/Unknown)**
9)
Russian Grand Prix (Sochi Olympic Park Circuit –
Krasnodar Krai)***
10)
British Grand Prix (Silverstone Circuit –
Silverstone)
11)
German Grand Prix (Nurburgring – Nurburg)****
12)
Finnish Grand Prix (Unknown – Unknown)*****
13)
Belgium Grand Prix (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
– Spa)
14)
Italian Grand Prix (Autodromo Nazionale Monza –
Monza)
15)
Singapore Grand Prix (Marina Bay Street Circuit
– Marina Bay)
16)
Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka Circuit – Suzuka)
17)
Indian Grand Prix (Buddh International Circuit –
Greater Noida)
18)
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit – Abu
Dhabi)
19)
United States Grand Prix (Circuit of the
Americas – Austin)
20)
Brazilian Grand Prix (Autodrome Jose Carlos Pace
– Sao Paulo)
*
Alternating with Spanish Grand Prix 2 (Valencia Street Circuit – Valencia)
** Not
officially proposed races, but both have been mentioned by Bernie, Mexico is a
rising market for F1 with current and future F1 drivers; South Africa would
mean the continent of Africa has a race again
*** The
officially confirmed race for 2014 or 2015 is subject to checks and may be
position in a different position to Round 8
**** Ideally to no longer alternate with the nowhere near as good Hockenheimring, although this unfortunately will be done due to funding reasons similar to the Spanish Grand Prix
***** Not an
officially proposed race, but a suggested event due to ever-present Finnish drivers
 |
| The original banking at Monza when the Formula One championship originally began before major upgrades |
Alternatives/Back-Ups & Replaced Grand Prix (in order of preference to be added if more than 20 races were ever to be in a season calender)
1st) Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul Park – Istanbul)
A fantastic race track both technically and for overtaking, just unfortunate that the public haven’t appreciated this and eventually their place on the calendar couldn’t be sustained. A shame but hopefully this isn’t the end for the circuit.
2nd) Hungarian
Grand Prix (Hungaroring – Budapest)
Since 1986
Hungary has cooked up some great races, but I have personally excluded it from
the main lineup due to more important European Grand Prix, including all
long-term classics and the logically suggested Finnish Grand Prix.
3rd) Bahrain
Grand Prix (Bahrain International Circuit – Sakhir)
Since the
inaugural Grand Prix in 2004, the race weekends have come under much criticsm
for two words – ‘borain’ and politics. Whilst this year’s event was perhaps the
most successful race despite everything off the track, but it wouldn’t be a
missed event by anyone but Bernie’s wallet perhaps.
4th) Korean Grand
Prix (Korean International Circuit – Yeongam)
Minimal
crowds, a dull circuit, miserable conditions, awful environmental surroundings,
low overtaking, financial issues – an easy decision. Korea could have done so
much better.
New/Returning Grand Prix logic
Mexico
(Unknown – Unknown)
Proposed due
to the success of Perez and several up and coming drivers expected to be in the
sport in the future few years. Next to Canada & USA, it would fit in for
the teams logistically very well.
South Africa
(Unknown – Unknown)
South Africa
is the most viable option to expand the World Championship in the last possible
continent to. It is also had races in South Africa before at the Kyalami
circuit.
Argentina
(Unknown – Unknown)
Another
country proposed to be reintroduced making a second race in South America,
having previously had many stints hosting a Grand Prix over the generations.
That's my proposed 2015 calender onwards, but what do you think?
Comment your favourite preferences and share with everyone!
Nick, F1 Hub
