(This is only the PROVISIONAL calendar) The FIA has unveiled the provisional calendar for the 2009 season, confirming the arrival of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the absence of a race in the United States. The season will begin again in Australia in late March and will finish in Abu Dhabi in November. The calendar will have 19 races, one more than this year. The United States Grand Prix, absent this season, will not return next year despite Indianapolis bosses admitting they would welcome F1 back if a financial supporter was found. Changes on the calendar include the Turkish Grand Prix moved from May to August and the British Grand Prix moved ahead of the French race. Provisional 2009 calendar: 29 March Australia 5 April Malaysia 19 April Bahrain 10 May Spain 24 May Monaco 7 June Canada 21 June Great Britain 28 June France 12 July Germany 26 July Hungary 9 August Turkey 23 August Europe (Valencia) 6 September Italy 13 September Belgium 27 September Singapore 11 October Japan 18 October China 1 November Brazil 15 November Abu Dhabi
I am not convinced this is the final calendar and there will not be a USGP. If F1 is trying to reduce costs, why are they going to the vicinity of Asia twice? That's got to cost a couple of $trillion. Seems like ABu Dhabi should be around the time of Bahrain and Austrailia, or even China, but not China, then Brazil, then AD!! What is the weather in Brazil in June/July??
^Man, isn't that the truth? Going from China to Brazil, and then back to Abu Dhabi seems like quite a bit of globetrotting.
The thing is Ron that the Canadian GP is on the 7th of June with 2 weeks before and after because it is a fly away. If they were going to slip in a USGP then it would have to be the week after or before the Canadian GP which would only allow 1 week to get back to Europe Test and race...... IMHO, It aint happening next year.
bad news, mainly because Bob Varsha on the Speed Report a few days ago said the exact opposite and their sources said its back on, so much for their inside info.
Potential conflict between Malaysia and Barcelona LMS; Belgium and Silverstone LMS (assuming dates are similar as LMS 2008 sked); no conflict with LeMans - but I suppose I'm probably the only one here who thinks of the other series. But then I wouldn't go to the Malaysia race anyway so it meaningless. The F1 race I'd be interested in attending again is Spa and that has a potential conflict. Great Britain before France makes a little bit of sense coming from Canada. Looks like 32% of the races in 2009 are focused in the "East"; 52% on the European Continent (inc the UK); 16% elsewhere. Carol
looks like a great schedule to me, the more races the better! As for the US GP if they were going to bring it back to Indy I'm glad they left if off. Indy sucks it was the worst track on the circuit.
Time for the god damned racing manufactures to step up. The U.S is BY FAR the biggest market for Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda. Yet no race here. This is unacceptable. If the FIA wnt do it, then the manufactures force them to. IF someone like Ferrari said they refuse to race next year if there is no USGP one would be on the schedual the next day.
Yes they may buy the cars but it does not mean that the USA is full of F1 fans. Have they been selling out the USGP while at Indy? Believe me if there was money in it they would be here with 2 or 3 races but I somehow think that they dont get the interest in F1 here as in other parts of the world.
There were more people for race day at the USGP than any other venue last year, as I recall. Certainly it was in the top 3
This is a provisional calendar. It is not set in stone yet, its only JUNE!! Bernie untimately controls this and if Bernie can make a buck in the USA, the calendar will change. I still believe there will be a USGP at Indianapolis in 2009, and I do not care what anyone thinks of the facility. For me it is the best for a spectator of any circuit available that would come close to qualifying for an FIA F1 event. Frankly a USGP at Indy is better than no USGP a all.
Well, I decided I don't want to go another year without attending a GP. So I'm planning on going to the Canadian GP in 2009, unless... USGP! In the grand scheme of F1 a lack luster town of Indy compared to a street race in Paris, Indy isn't much of a choice. I really hope F1(Ecclestone) can see the value of the USGP @ Indy. It would be huge in 2009 due to the Dollar. It was pretty well attended to begin with. If F1 tracks were combined into a single ballfield, USGP would be the Bleachers. Cheap, fun & full of characters. Not every circuit can be hosted by Monaco. The United States Grand Prix won the annual Race Promoters Trophy, which is given out by Formula One Management in Dec. 2007. Just goes to show F1 is ruled by a King who has final say in his court, protest as they may. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Having been to both a few times, I don't think either should ever be off the calendar. I don't know why Indy gets so much hate; it really is the very best track to spectate at, you get more access to the drivers and teams than anywhere else, and the tickets are insanely cheap.
Cheap is why I decided to go! I don't car to spend upwards of 10K to go elsewhere for only the Race when I can go from Wednesday through Monday @ Indy. Nowhere else, from what I've come to understand, can you walk and sit anywhere around a Circuit that you have not paid for. I love the General Admission of Friday & Saturday. I love even more that you don't have to pay to get in on Thursday if you have a Sunday Race ticket so as to have the possible opportunity to meet and view almost all of the Teams and Drivers. I would love to have it back in Indy just for that. Here's one for all. I have come to understand (I am not allowed to mention my source), based on all of it's history, the FIA would love to have an F1 race held @ Laguna Seca. If Laguna Seca was to actually have an F1 race, we would all have to donate funds to the facility for this to even happen. Why? They are funded completely by donations & by the end of the season they don't have any funds left to get the dirt Parking lots updated. They have specific donation guidelines for the upkeep of the facility. What about guidelines for donations to get enough to have paved parking with propper drainage, better access in and out of the facility, and some propper (not the dirt hillside) seating. 1 other problem! The track is less than the required length that race facilities are to be in order to have an F1 race. But, the history of Laguna may be enough for them to allow a race to be held. I will get some information about the donation process for things to be updated and keep everyone informed. Until then, Lets have it at Indy!
Have they solved the access problems at Laguna Seca? I attended the pro series back in the early 60s when Moss and Gurney battled it out. Brabham, McLaren, Bonner, etc. were all there. It took hours and hours to get out of there. One year we didn't get clear of the traffic jam until 11:00 at night.
Will never be a modern F1 GP at Laguna. Forget the FIA, the length of the circuit, or the poor access, its Bernie that makes this decision. Not enough seating, not enough hotel rooms, inadequate pits, for the at least 70,000+ PAYING SPECTATORS at $150 each you need to break even and pay for the near extortion up front fees. Most of these people do not camp out, they want nice hotel rooms. Then you would have to rebuild most of the track and the safety areas. "Donations" would have to run into the $75 million range. Minimum If you want history, The Glen has history in F1, and that too will never host a modern F1 GP. It takes the kind of facility and money behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and even they have trouble with the funding.
Here's the info - just go to the track website - here's one of the links: http://www.laguna-seca-fund.com/mission/statement.html or here's what you can give: http://www.laguna-seca-fund.com/contributions/contrubute.html Have to agree with Ron's statements about Laguna Seca - been there to the ALMS races and rooms are a precious commodity for sure. Entrance to the track would be a nightmare with an F1 crowd! Carol
