From the BBC gossip today-- Western Europe is "finished" as a top Formula 1 racing destination and will soon host only five races, according to the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone. He did not name which races in Europe he thought would survive, but said he wanted to keep the total number of races in a season at 20 while expanding to Russia and considering new locations such as South Africa and Mexico. (AFP)
Ya not much eh? Change is coming. The question is how long will some of these other non european races last. Korea is on the ropes. Bernie is going to lose Bahrain sooner or later etc. Turkey gone and who knows how long India will last. Europe is not such a bad destination for a race. Im guessing UK, Italy, Monaco, Germany, Spa for the big 5 here.
I think SPA and might be a French GP was going to alternate year to year, or we may see that sort of thing going on, they have it one year miss the next. Bernie is a shrewd man, difficult to say if he is wrong or right. I think Silverstone is safe though.
The other thing is Bernie does tend to cater for Western Europe in the timing of the live races. I think.
I get this mental image of Bernie with a fist full of darts and a giant map of the world, choosing the next season's calendar.... "Yes, the GP Of Machu Pichu, right before Monaco and after Vanuatu."
Seems that way. Bernie is going where the public money still flows. Private non government races will be hard to turn a profit. Im sorry but thats what this is all about. Maximum government support and maximum TV revenue. Hence Austin falling off the cliff.
Western Europe IS F1. Of the venues outside of Western Europe in 2011, how many actually filled their grandstands? And what percentage of TV viewership comes from Europe? I would guess that would be the largest group, maybe then South America, and Japan. Bernie is politics. His threats are to force promoters to pay up more money. No way Silverstone, Monza, Spa, Monaco, etc will go. Turkey, at least one of the Middle Eastern races, Valencia, they need to go. Why is there a China and a Korea? And do not forget, there is the "proposed" event in New Jersey, so even if Austin fails, Bernie favors the NYC market anyway.
With Austerity measures in all european countries, how can the justify subsidising a gp? Bernie is running out of countries to bilk.
Well, what can I say? I'm not surprised: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346312&page=3
This would be sad news if true. Once the core is gone, all you're left with is an empty shell. Weak and fragile.
I vote we kick out Bahrain, Abu Dhabi. Turkey's gone, so will China and Korea as well. India's track is boring as hell, IMO. It will probably only stay as a tourist attraction and wealthy investors.
That's what people say every year but it sounds more like marketing BS to drum up some last minute sales. The contract is to 2015 and Ron Walker is best friends with Bernie even if it wasn't in Melb it could be taken to another city pretty easy. I'm not so sure Europe losing races is such a big deal, (unless of course the following tracks are taken away). Spa/Monza/Silverstone/Monaco are the only ones really worth keeping, the other tracks are snorefests without DRS/Rain. I really don't care for "filled grandstands" Spa has the lowest attendances every year, it doesn't make the racing less spectacular.
What's the big deal. "Only" 5 is still way more than any other region, and is still fully 25% of the calendar. Add in Silverstone and call it 6. There's only 7 races now. Spa has been on the chopping block for awhile now. And no one even wants Valencia on the calendar. Done and done. Bernie is just trying to kickstart a bidding war.
SPA is the best track on the circuit. I really hope they don't pull this track it deserves to be on the calendar every year along with suzuka and canada.
This is very true.....it has been for 50 years, and probably will be for the next 50. -100 Thats a silly question. Why are all global businesses setting up in the Far East? Thats where the new $ is coming from. When the 'well' dries up, you need to cross the village and put your bucket under a new tap.
