Given the expansion to new circuits it was only a matter of time: http://www.speedweek.ch/Formel1/news/15914/Spa-in-Gefahr.html Bernie is citing "safety concerns" as reason to potentially kill off Spa unless the government continues to make up for the missing money. The articles also speculates that Monza could be next if the Rome GP becomes a reality. Only speculation at this point but we know what happened to the French GP.
Bernie's brinksmanship. Pay up or else. Sooner or later one or both will have to say no and then they'll find out that its almost impossible to get a race reinstated once it is off the calendar. Its a real shame that one man who already has more money than he and his next three generations can spend will destroy the sport for the sake of even more money.
Aren't you suppose to be on a plane? Spa and Monza are two of the oldest GP tracks and have the biggest followings and so are the least beholding to Bernie. Funny how he should single them out. Bon Voyage.
NO WAY is Monza going to be kicked off the calendar... Ferrari will put their foot down... It has too much history and too much meaning to F1, but ESPECIALLY to Ferrari and the tifosi... Bernie had to back down last year and he will HAVE to back down on Monza. Unfortunately, Spa is a different matter Spa is an incredible track, a wonderful, flowing, fast track, but does not have tifosi or an 800 lb gorilla (Ferrari) behind it... Frank
That worked so well the last time Ferrari's real home track (Imola) was in danger of getting axed. As I said: When it can happen to the birthplace of GP racing, then it can happen anywhere.
I thought Silverstone, May 13, 1950 was the birthplace of Formula 1 GP racing... Monza has been the host for the Italian GP, like Silverstone has been the host for the British GP for the majority of Formula 1 seasons since 1950 with very rare exceptions... Imola (Italy) like Brands Hatch (Britain) was always a rare interlude for national GP honors or was given another moniker (European GP= Brands Hatch and San Marino GP= Imola)... Frank
I'm sure that the drivers will appreciate replacing Monza with the Korea track, whose asphalt hasn't seen a tire yet, for security reasons.
Don't confuse F1 with GP. The first Grand Prix was held in France before WWI if memory serves. Actually the first was the Grand Prix of the Auto Club of France if we want to be sticklers and it was in 1905 I belive
Sounds about right. IIRC the first GP winner was a Hungarian. The "track" was a triangle of public streets connecting 3 villages. It was near Le Mans.
I was just giving Andreas a hard time The first GP was in 1906... From The Complete History of Grand Prix Motor Racing by Andriano Cimarosti, pg. 25, "The Vanderbilt Cup at Long Island was contested again in 1906, but there were other events this year too, which had even longer lasting fame. After France had won the Gorden Bennett trophy outright, another award had to be found, and the ACF decided to create a Grand Prix. The first race was organized by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, later famous for the 24 hr Le Mans race, on a 103 km road circuit near the same town. The organisers stipulated that the length of the GP should be 1236 km and that it should take place over a 2-day period. A new formula was devised, specifying a maximum weight of 1000 kg (with an additional 7 kg permitted for a magneto), excluding wings, lights, light fittings, upholstery, and tools. The exhaust pipe had to be fixed in a horizontal position with the tailpipe directed upwards to avoid creating a dust cloud, as in these days before asphalt roads, the dust churned up by cars was a serious problem. A manufacturer was allowed to enter up to 3 cars, each with a crew of two, both of whom were permitted to drive. Fuel consumption was limited to 30 liters/100 km. A large team of officials was required to ensure the rules were strictly complied with. Fiat, Itala, Mercedes, De Dietrich, Renault, Darracq, Brasier, Gobron-Brille, Panhard, Hotchkiss, Clement-Bayard and Gregoire were all represented in the race. The Renault, Fiat, and Clement-Bayard had detachable wheel rims, the first time they had been seen in a race. These rims, which were made by Michelin, reduced enormously the time taken to change punctured tires. Ferene Szisz in a Renault covered the first day's distance in 5 hrs, 45 minutes and 30.4 seconds, an average speed of 107.5 km/hr. Clement in a Clement-Bayard came in 2nd ahead of Nazzaro in a Fiat and Shepard in a Hotchkiss. The Renault had a 4-cylinder engine of 166x150mm (12,986cc), 3-speed transmission with a leather cone clutch, a track of 1350mm, 2900mm wheelbase and weighed 990 kg. The Clement-Bayard was also a 4, but of 160x160mm (12,868cc) and had a 4-speed gearbox with metal disc clutch, a 1350mm track, 2900mm wheelbase ad weighed 1004 kg. The 4-cylinder 180x160mm (12,286cc) Fiat engine also had a 4-speed gearbox with spiral spring clutch; its track was 1350mm, wheelbase 2840mm, and weight 1006 kg.... ...Seventeen competitors were still running at the end of the 1st day. Szisz was able to maintain his position on the 2nd day, but Nazzaro pushed his way into 2nd place ahead of Clement.... The winner of this 1st GP in racing history covered the total distance in 12 hrs, 14 minutes, ad 7 seconds at an average speed of 101.195 km/hr..." FYI, from the same page... "The second important event of 1906 was the first Targa Florio race, which continued to be run in Sicily each year till the 1970s. These races were financed by the wealthy Sicilian Vincenzo Florio. The Targa of 1906 was run on the Big Madonie circuit of 148.832 km (part of the track was still in use in 1972) and the circuit had to be lapped 3 times, for a total distance of 446.496 km. The first race was for cars under 1300 kg, and was dominated by Itala cars, Allesandro Cagno winning, and Graziani taking 2nd place; Bablot in a Berliet was 3rd. Cagno set fastest lap at 52.45 km/hr; the winner's average speed was 46.82 km/hr. 10 competitors took part" Enough typing, I'm got to let my fingers rest Frank
Agreed. His greed may eventually catch up. China, Turkey and to a lesser extent Bahrain are suffering significantly from attendance. How long will these countries want to showcase themselves with empty grand stands and half finished tracks like the one we will see this weekend? I do like the track in Turkey, but Bahrain is just taking up a slot that an interesting venue should take. I really need to get to Spa before Bernie screws up the best track on the circuit in favor of more Tilke garbage in a synthetic settling. The new tracks look great on TV (which is where the money is) but don’t produce much racing or excitement. Looks like we are headed to more “6 Flags over F1” venues instead of true great circuits with heritage and great racing. At least the seating in these new venues will be comfortable with lots of elbow room and there won't be long lines for the concessions!
I'm not sure. I hope God will be first. I expect Turkey to be cut in 2012. China I have not much hope for either. Both are on life support by the govt. Bahrain, while boring to watch, might stay on longer because of oil money and because it actually serves now as a test track for F1. Couldn't agree more. In fact when I read this story I really got concerned: I planned on going to Spa in 2012 (I already bought my 2011 Canadian GP ticket) but now I realize this might already be too late?! I'm all for progress and new tracks, but cutting into the holy core of F1 (Monaco, Monza, Spa, Silverstone, France, Germany) is ultimately going to hurt the sport. There is plenty of fodder in the calendar of races that can be axed (Hungaroring, Valencia, Sepang, Bahrain to name a few) without touching the core and allowing for expansion. I'm starting to think Bernie is an idiot. Money is not everything. Time to call upon heavenly intervention.
I am sure Bernie will try to hold God hostage for the TV rights! Can you say F-Chat does the Belgian GP in 2011! I could not agree with you more, change is fine, but dont kill what made it special in the first place.
*IF* Spa really gets axed from the 2012 calendar with no hope of revival, I would probably end up going there as well and take in 2 GPs next year. A Spa GP is a must-see. If you destroy your roots, you loose your identity.
+1000. Could not agree more! Historic tracks like Spa, Monza, Silverstone, and Monaco are what give F1 its history and are part of its great heritage. Seeing Bernie trying to eliminate historic tracks for the sake of money betrays the very soul of F1 and the rich history they represent... Frank
