Sunday, 16 December 2012

Talking Point: 2013 Calender & The Fall of European Races


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

1 comment:

  1. Personally I find Monaco dull. It's got great glitz and glamour, an amazing backdrop and then... no overtaking. The best races are the ones with crashes (yes, I know this means it's dangerous for the drivers but it's also exciting) and rain.

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