LOL, build a city around a race track in the middle of nowhere? That's a good one. Sorry but anyone who bought into that silly notion should have their head examined. -F
Then examine the head of their govt. That was their plan. At the first GP they showed the digital renderings of the new city. I thought it was a pipe dream and commented here about it. Now it is clear that this was nothing but smoke and mirrors
Well yeah of course. The day it opened I knew it was smoke and mirrors. Maybe my BS meeter is just really sensitive but I know I wasn't the only one. Many, many people were scratching their heads on that one. As they are with all these other ridiculous sites like for example, Azerbaijan. -F
Speed TV doesn't even have a BS meter. They offered all this as gospel. Then again they tried to sell us Pinzor Wieners USF1 fantasy.
South Korea is no loss, what would really be interesting is North Korea vying for a spot! I could see Bernie taking a look. LOL
Its hard for us Americans to imagine any place unless we've invaded and militarily occupied it first. Isn't that where Borat is from? BHW
With the current state financials of France, not throwing money into Bernie's throat is a perfectly fine decision. Actually, not throwing tax money onto anyone in F1 is a perfectly fine decision.
It depends. If you are talking about a location, which already has a lot of tourism (like the vicinity of Paris or the Provence) then yes. But for regions/countries where there is little tourist attraction/income, staging a GP is actually a boom to the local economy AND the tax revenues. Those benefits then can easily outweigh Bernie's fee. So even in a fiscally conservative situation, hosting a GP might actually make sense.
As a matter of fact, I completely agree with the French for standing up against Bernies' exorbitant fees. Why should the taxpayers' money end up lining his pockets? If more countries, tracks and organisers could do the same in Europe, maybe some sanity could come back in this F1 business. I sincerely hope that Spa (already in trouble) and Germany follow suite, unlike Silverstone which has accepted the blackmail.
[Devils advocate...] I'm certainly out of date, but IIRC, pretty much the only reason Silverstone still exists as a race track is the GP. They *may* lose money on the race itself, although it seems they didn't have any real trouble building the new Bernie-plex recently. And they receive zero, nada, none, support from any governments, or, AFAIK, even the local community politicians. [Unlike the sheep shaggers in Wales ] They then rent the track, host a myriad of events etc to cover the ongoing costs. It can be done, but I guess it's easier to just blame the pygmy for *everyone's* woes..... Rightly or wrongly, & outside the lack of noise, seems to me F1 is as "healthy" as it's ever been - More folk (with or without govt support is irrelevant) want to host a race than ever before, and the entry list is full. Must suck to be involved in F1 right now. [/Devils advocate...] Cheers, Ian
A couple of posts ago, you called them fools... Yes, there are plenty of governments, dictators and others wanting to put their country on the map by organising GPs, we have noticed. They accept to pay the exorbitant rate imposed by Ecclestone. The practice completely distorts the system and heavily discriminate against European organisers standing without state help for their own GPs. They just cannot compete and will increasingly fall in debts or refuse to play; France is one of them, Spa, Hockenheim and the Nurburgring may follow. One can also notice the poor track attendance at some Far East venues, with stands almost empty (no public interest, tickets too expensive, no racing culture, etc) , whilst at the same time the core of racing supportes in Europe and North America could be deprived of attending a GP in their country.
Not true. I actually wrote "many folks (fools?)" Most here seem to believe that hosting a GP is indeed a fools errand. Maybe it is, I don't know if it is or isn't. But I do know; Is that Bernie's fault? We may not like him or his business practices, but there's no argument that he's made many of the players very, very wealthy. I hear you, I really do. But again, is that "their" (those putting up the money and ensuring it's the most watched sport on the planet) problem? Cheers, Ian
No doubt that Ecclestone made some team principals rich, but to the detriment of track owners and organisers, I think. The money is not equally spread among all the actors in this sport: teams, drivers and organisers. The lack of trackside audience at some venues could worry the sponsors, I think. After all, sponsorship is about advertising and this has no effect if nobody comes to watch the show, although I accept that TV audience is more important.
100% agree there too! But again, is it Bernie's fault that these folk (fools? ) continue to line up for either a race or an entry? Should they be able to get organized they'd have some clout - But seems the "GP Promoters Association"(?) and FOTA are, once again, defunct..... He is the master of "divide & conquer" it seems. He may pooh-pooh it, but a lack of bums in seats must be a worry - The marketing geeks may quote TV eyeballs, but fer sure, empty stands certainly don't look good either. If they can't fill the stands the promoters hurt and will eventually quit - as we've already seen in France of course. Seems to me the teams themselves can't agree on the color of the sky - The only ones that may have a chance of forcing change are the circuit owners/promoters - He still needs "top class" facilities, and if those aren't available he's got no show and may need to compromise a little!...... Cheers, Ian
Yes, we always see new applications to hold GP, but after a few years having their fingers burnt, organisers quit. One day Bernie may run out of people interested in his circus. From what I know, it wasn't the lack of paying public that tipped the balance in France's case (one of the largest audience), but simply the economics of holding a GP. No French track or promoter wanted to pay the inflated fees. France was very proud of being the country that created Grand Prix; the name itself is French. For many years France was a stalwart in GP and later F1, but following Mosley election in the past, and Ecclestone being granted the commercial rights, many in France have felt their influence declining and the center of gravity moving on the other side of the Channel. Although the FIA is in Paris and Todt, the actual president in French, the GP administration is mostly a British affair run by Ecclestone nowadays.
I will admit some exotic locations have worked out. Malaysia has been nice even through it needs some sprucing up. The ME tracks have done well, especially Abu Dhabi. Singapore has appeal. But China, Korea, India, Turkey, and now Azerbaijan seem like dumb ideas from the start. At the very least, they are exercises in wishful thinking. -F
And then he'll have to lower his prices so traditional tracks can once again play. In the long run, this rubbish engine and stupid tracks might be what saves F1. Serious revamp of engine rules and tracks no one wants to go to might trigger crisis mode and the sport will be back good and proper. If it folds, a new ''F1'' will be there a week later.
