PRESS RELEASE WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL CALENDAR FIA Formula One World Championship Bahrain 12 March Malaysia 19 Mar Australia 02 April San Marino 23 April Europe 07 May Spain 14 May Monaco 28 May Great Britain 11 June Canada 25 June United States 02 July France 16 July Germany 30 July Hungary 06 August Turkey 27 August Italy 10 September Belgium 17 September Japan 01 October China 08 October Brazil* 22 October *Subject to contract approval
Why are you so surprised? Did I miss something previously mentioned. When Mexico joins (if they join I should say, lol, taking way too long), will they have to remove a race or just make it up to 20?
That should be 19 races with an asterisk. The Brazilian is in deep doo-doo w/o government monetary support which from what I've read looks highly unlikely.
The FIA wants 20 races, but the teams only want 16 to 17 races per year. This year was supposed to be an exception, yet it might now become the rule. Sounds like Bernie looses another power struggle against Max. In this case I like it.
Interesting to note also that they cleverly circum navigated the World Cup Soccer tournament in Germany from June 9 to July 9. Only the British GP falls into that bracket. Well done.
I thought that too for a moment, but then again I'm getting the feeling that thing is dead in the water by now (if it wasn't before). I haven't heard too many outcries from the teams over the recent proposals for 2007 and onwards (slicks, split rear wing).
Have you read Stoddart's comments about the meeting between the teams with Max and Bernie held in London on Monday? It's not so much about the regs but more about the money the teams get from commercial revenue that is causing the split. The rift over constantly changing regs and the number of races a year etc is just more fuel on the fire.
No I didn't. Interesting. Just goes to show that the USGP 05 simply became a victim of a political power struggle. Sad. PS: Just read an article about Oz Jet (Stoddart's Aussie airline) and was surprised to read how small a business that is. Of course he also has European Aviation. Somehow I always thought there was much more of an Empire behind him (think Branson with Virgin) and apparently there is not.
don't feel alone on things - at least the reservations I made for Hockenheim, Spa are okay - just need to rearrange Imola Carol
USGP on 4th of July Weekend, interesting. If they would put up lights at Indy and run it on Sunday evening, right in prime time TV, and put in a huge fireowrks show with the end of the race, it would be great. Too bad Indy is NOT gonna do the lights, and God forbid Bernie goes out of his way to give the US fans a good show. *imagines the ultimate finsh to the USGP next year* Scott Speed wins the race, the USA National Anthem plays on the podium, and immediatly afterwards, a huge fireworks show goes off. *stops dreaming* Also worth taking note of: Australia is 3rd in 06, not first. Bahrain and Malaysia come first. Interlagos, if it happens, ends the season, not China or Japan. And also, NO new circuits. I think if/when Mexico comes on in 07, either Spa or Interlagos are gonna lose out.
I think Interlagos will be the loser if such a circumstance would transpire. With all the problems NASCAR had going in to Mexico, I can just imagine how it would be for F1. Spa is the driver's favorite and a few years back at Interlagos the Jaguar team had all their computers heisted! Spa is the only REAL course on the sked in my opinion - along with Imola. We've been going to both over the years and will continue to support those venues indefinitely. There always seems to be a hiccup with Spa but it always remains. Viva Spa, Viva Imola. Carol
Looks like he might. Then again easy to say this when you have two of the best passers in F1 on your team. "Mika failed to properly interface with the clutch pedal" Speaka da English with Ron Dennis
If Spa's troubles are as bad as have been reported say it may go. I really hope not, I love the circuit. Imola has been castrated with that Tambrello chicane. If you have to lose a GP i'm sorry to say my choice would be Imola. Italy has 2 GPs already.
Agreed. Imola is a great name, but when you're at the track you're surprised how small it all is. F1 has long outgrown that place. Germany's two GP is another anomaly that should be taken care of. Until recently I would have easily voted the sterile Nuerburgring off the cliff, but since Tilke butchered Hockenheim into one of his go kart tracks I'm no longer sure which one is worse.
I'd keep the Ring. I'd rather have that than what they call Hockenheim these days. Figure once MS calls it a career one of them will go. Bernie probably figured he's make more money with two GPs in Germany.
The access to Monza is a nightmare from what we were told when we met up with a couple guys in Spa who were there at Monza. If you have never been to Imola you are missing out on a beautiful park setting, beautiful houses on the hillside, easy access, parking close to Acque Minerale, easy access in and out of the toll boths - plus easy access to Maranello and San Marino instead of a long drive from Milan. Spa has troubles every year but manages to survive. Our ticket order will be placed tonight to take advantage of the reduced rate if purchased by 1 November. Guess perhaps I am a "died-in-the-wool" Spa fan!! Imola tickets purchased next week . . . ditto on being a "died-in-the-wool" fan. Carol
Having driven a rental to Monza I have to say it was not that bad at all. Very organized. Painful? Yes, but a walk in the Park (literally) compared to the chaos in Indy. Granted, access to Imola is a lot easier (took the train from Bologna) and it is lovely, but the track, the stands, the attractions and the pits are not on F1 level anymore. Besides I don't like the mockery of it being the San Marino GP, a nation that is quite a distance away. Just as I don't like the GP of Europe or e.g. the "Swiss GP" once held in Dijon.
They need to $hitcan Hungary, Hockenheim and Imola. Plus, if they can't do the right thing and move it to a better track, then kiss off France as well.
