FOTA Provisional Calendar......

From Crash.net

2010 F1 'breakaway' calendar leaked
Tue 23 Jun, 10:40 AM

A blueprint calendar for the Formula One Teams’ Association’s new breakaway series in 2010 has been leaked to the media – with no fewer than ten current or recent grand prix circuits listed amongst the 17 venues.

Whilst FIA President Max Mosley has contended that an agreement between the warring FIA/FOTA factions is now ‘very, very close’, the teams have retorted that it is anything but, and the publication of a provisional schedule is sure to raise the stakes even higher. The message from the teams to Mosley is clear – give us the governance and financial concessions we want, or we’re out of here.

The naming of Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Abu Dhabi and Singapore – all part of the 2009 F1 World Championship – is sure to raise a few eyebrows, not least with commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone, whilst it seems the rebels have also been quick to jump in where the Formula One Management (FOM) chief executive has recently lost interest, with Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis, Magny-Cours and Suzuka all similarly part of the plan. By dint of its status, Monaco is the only circuit that does not pay Ecclestone the annual fee he charges countries for the honour of hosting a grand prix.

There is also a mooted return to Jerez – after the Southern Spanish track fell out of favour with F1 when the town’s mayor appeared on the podium and presented a trophy that should have been given out by a dignitary from Daimler-Benz in light of McLaren-Mercedes’ breakthrough one-two success – and possibly Adelaide, the popular home of Australian Grand Prix until 1996, when rival Melbourne took over.

However, the appearance of Adelaide on the schedule has been met with some scepticism by insiders, with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport professing ignorance of any plans for the sport to return to the capital of South Australia, and motor racing consultant Mike Drewer suggesting that any speculation at the moment is just that – mere speculation.

“Not surprisingly Adelaide because it was very, very popular when it had Formula 1,” he told ABC Online. “Adelaide has been listed on a theoretical calendar, but it’s a bit like trying to work out who might be the members of a cabinet if there was a change in government. A lot of journalists have got around and had a bit of a stab at it.”

Though there is no race in Brazil, South and Central America is represented by Argentina – though not the same Buenos Aires circuit as traditionally used to welcome the top flight – and Mexico, with both countries having featured on the F1 calendar in the past.

In Europe, meanwhile, there is the addition of the state-of-the-art Portimao track in Portugal, a country used much for testing but that has not hosted a grand prix since 1996, as well as the Lausitzring in Germany and a street circuit in Helsinki, Finland. Surfers’ Paradise – which has hosted Champ Cars, IndyCars and V8s of late, and is due to stage A1GP in the World Cup of Motorsport’s fourth campaign in 2009/10 – has been nominated as a reserve venue should any of the others not be up to the grade.

Ecclestone has also cast doubt upon the calendar, questioning its authenticity and arguing that the dissenting teams do not possess sufficient financial backing to go it alone and organise their own championship.

The full FOTA 2010 schedule, as published in The Guardian, is as follows:

3 March Buenos Aires Argentina Last hosted F1 in 1998

21 March Mexico City Mexico Last hosted F1 in 1992

11 April Jerez Spain Last hosted F1 in 1997

25 April Portimao Portugal Never hosted F1

2 May Imola San Marino Last hosted F1 in 2006

23 May Monte Carlo Monaco Current F1 host

6 June Montreal Canada Last hosted F1 in 2008

13 June Indianapolis United States Last hosted F1 in 2007

1 July Silverstone United Kingdom Current F1 host

25 July Magny-Cours France Last hosted F1 in 2008

15 August Laustizring Germany Never hosted F1

29 August Helsinki Finland Never hosted F1

12 September Monza Italy Current F1 host

26 September Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Current F1 host

10 October Marina Bay Singapore Current F1 host

24 October Suzuka Japan Last hosted F1 in 2006

8 November Adelaide or Surfers’ Paradise Australia Last hosted F1 in 1995/Never hosted F1

 

What No SPA?

 

Part of the Bernie show not the new FOTA show. Monaco is the exception as they dont pay Bernie to be part of his circus. Its all in the contracts!!

 

Very interesting calendar........we'd be in for Imola and Helsinki (despite not being a fan of street circuits, city is fantastic)! Weekend following Imola is the Monaco Historics. Indy conflicts with LeMans. The Radisson Hotel at the circuit at Portimao is supposed to be completed in 2010 (LMS night race there next month, will check it out). I hope it's a go for FOTA. Boo..hiss on Bernie's comments!

Carol

 

I like it. This didn't happen overnight. Someone's been working on this a while. Max and Bernie had to know how serious the breakup threat was and still they fiddled around.

FOTA is on the go.... no stopping them now.

 

I like it!!! GO FOTA!

 

Monaco is the one! and its on the list.

I still reckon they won't split, IMO the aim is to send a clear message to the FIA remove Mosley and were back in.

 

John thinks the same as you, as for me...well . . . I'm hoping for the split. However, as mentioned in many threads, it's going to take more than Mosley out of office to make it all work as one. I don't think anyone can dispute the fact that FOTA has been doing their homework for sure. Monaco will go where Ferrari races.

Carol

 

How long before Spa can be added to the roster?

 

Probably in 2011, after the 2010 FOM race has only six cars on the grid.
(Not counting taxicabs. )

 

Thinking about making reservations now for June in Montreal. Can always cancel... no worse than this year.

 

The split will be about Bernie giving up control to the FOTA. I really don't think that will happen nor will they find a compromise. Bernie will try his usual negotiating tricks but I doubt anyone will be willing to bite these days.

 

I am doing same (but not for Montreal) - can always cancel but can't always get!

Carol

 

I wouldn't write off the evil pygmy quite so quickly - Unfortunately - He's the ultimate survivor and, as I've said before, won't have any trouble throwing his buddy MM under the bus if it suits his purposes.

Cheers,
Ian

 

WOW! Even Carol is signing up for the "new F1"! - That's huge!

How long ago did you swear off any more F1 races? Maybe "we" should forward this thread to FOTA

Cheers,
Ian

 

Yep Ian, not attending any more races under current regime but if things change......by all means let FOTA know that they have fans who would be at THEIR races!! (if they follow thru with low ticket prices and be fan friendly).

Carol

 

Maybe there will be a race in Montreal next year! If so sign me up.

 

An F-Chat hospitality suite?

 

Aren't Suzuka and Abu Dhabi under contract with Pygmy? Abu Dhabi surely has to be.

 

I want a FOTA hat!!!

 

Excellent

 

And IMO a series that does not include a Monaco GP and Ferrari is doomed.

It makes it special attracts all the right sponsers with the giltz glamour, it goes hand in hand ...it does not need have to the words FIA written all over it to make crediable. FOTA GP would do have the same pull IMO...

 

Amen brother!

Seriously, that calendar is the stuff of dreams! Go FOTA, GO!

 

Would love to see Watkins Glen or Laguna Seca on that list.

 

If Dorna gets behind FOTA to run the series, I think Laguna Seca will be a great possibility. It would be better for me. Not to far to drive.
I'll have to keep my fingers crossed.
But if Indy gets it, I won't be to disapointed.