as long as this idea of Austin hosting a race has been around, it seems there have been people wanting it to fail. unfortunately for those people, the race in austin has been a success every year, and the reason for that success is that the city and state really try hard to make this event a success.
The economics for the race are simple. As fee's go up so must revenue or you cannot keep up. I want to see the Austin race continue. I think the limits are approaching or such articles about re-negotiation do not appear. Bernie will leave quickly no matter if the environment does not suit him. He has no allegiance other than funding and income. Its really really simple with respect to Bernie. Does he want a US race? For sure. Its still somewhat tenuous given the history of F1 in the US. Frankly history does not favor the long term but hopefully COTA and Texas will overcome history and provide a viable event.
Agreed on all points. But you 'overlooked' trackside advertising! He even controls all that (except at Monaco, who don't pay him a sanctioning fee either) - Not just who can advertise, but all the revenue comes back to him too..... I always figured he should at least give that to them, even if he maintains control of *who* can advertise around the track. The 'rumors' are new races need $25M before he'll even sit down with you, and that some (Mid East? Russia?) are substantially higher than that, but they all (most?) include 10% escalation every year..... OTOH, some (Silverstone?, Germany, Spa? & a few others?) are rumored to be paying substantially less. Cheers, Ian
If that's the case, these "fans" don't know much about F1 or motor racing in general and are not real connaisseurs. What's the point of going to watch a race just because Rossi would be driving a car at the back of the field, with no hope of doing well.
This elitist attitude disparaging the casual fan, and the attitude that a race is not anyone's to win on any given Sunday, is precisely why F1 will never thrive in the US.
Yep. I don't put much stock in anything Saward says, but that bit about A. Rossi being what the U.S. fans want to see is just ludicrous. The only U.S sports fans who have even heard of Rossi are F1 fans. They'll already be at the race or watching on tv. Rossi seems like a very nice, intelligent kid, and not a bad driver in so far as we can see, but he's not the personality or talent that's gonna make non-F1 U.S. fans sit up and take notice.
I get the irony, but I'm guessing if there was a brash, young, somewhat hip & cool American at the top of F1 a la Lewis, he'd be a pretty big hit here and the sport would benefit immensely. The American Lewis Hamilton isn't in F1 right now. Maybe Haas can find him or her.
I don't know. The 2014 race is not on the current METF approval list, which goes into 2015 events. And the Mexican fan effect (supposedly 40K on race day) on the USGP has been very exaggerated. COTA's own spokesperson said there were only about 15% fans from outside the U.S. Not insignificant, but not even half of 40K.
Well, last year it was about 250K for the whole weekend, but the problem for COTA is that this number is well below their projected numbers they use to obtain the huge state subsidy.
Not for COTA. Their money comes mostly from ticket sales and the State subsidy ... ~$25M / year just for F1 + more for other races.
The declining interest in the latter 1/3 of the season (which includes Austin) is yet more reason to reduce restrictions on engine development. Bernie is always trying to create an environment which allows the championship to go down to the last race (double points gimmick). It is true that Hamilton and Rosberg are still battling, but every other team on the grid is focused on 2015. If the teams are allowed to improve engine performance during the season this makes the entire season consequential or certainly far more likely to be consequential. The cost savings argument is short sighted when compared to declining interest/declining revenues over the course of the season.
Ecclestone confirms both Caterham and Marussia will miss the USGP: Bernie Ecclestone confirms both Caterham and Marussia will miss the U.S. GP | Marussia F1 Team News | Formula 1 Teams | Sky Sports
F1 is big where it's *the* racing series. In the US (and Japan and Australia) it's "just another" racing series. US drivers can make big money in NASCAR, and still see their kids during the week. (Notice that F1 is filling up with drivers that don't have kids of their own, yet -- and are just "kids" themselves?)
Well then with two teams out, tickets will be discounted correct? Yeah, not a chance of that ever happening. I really hope F1 stays in Austin, & if it doesn't I'm very thankful for WEC / ALMS & their better paddock access & lower ticket prices.
Austin jacking up prices to the roof doesn't help attendance either. I'm going this year for the first time, but it's shaping to be one of the most boring races. Hope I'm wrong. By the way, is the Mexican GP confirmed for 2015 or not? I thought it was basically impossible to finish on time, and would become reality until 2016. Just curious.
I love the Austin race...one of the best F1 tracks in the world. Austin itself is incredible. Looking forward to the race and all the pre-race parties starting next week. Sorry you guys won't be there.
Some of us will be there. And I agree, as far as the track and the event itself, it's completely awesome and the city provides lots to do besides the race itself. The hotel rates, politics involved, and the current state of affairs in F1 isn't so great; but that doesn't really affect the fact that it is one giant fun party. Hope it isn't a boring race, but if it is, that's not unusual for F1...
Just FYI, according to Hotels.com, there are still over 250 Austin area hotels available for the whole weekend starting at $85.
With all the angst about F1, in general, & COTA, in particular, it is good to see several on this thread actually going to the race. Welcome to Texas! Have a safe & enjoyable time in our state's capital...T
