Quote from: ChrillAw damn. Let's just scrap Spain and party in Mexico in 2013 then. They all speak the same language anyway.
Except for the Portuguese.
Barcelona chiefs have come out against the idea of race sharing. I hope the guys in Valencia have a plan B up their sleeves.
Quote from: ChrillI SAID SPAIN AND MEXICO, U F00L.
Also, I'd rather keep Barcelona and witness Valencia getting the f*** out of the F1 racing scene.
Oh crap. Any more such howlers and you'll suspect I don't pay attention to your posts.
Agree with your Spanish track preference, Ljud. Of course we have Valencia entering year two of a ten-year, $25 million/annum contract, with break fees of $50 million or more... poor dears can't afford to keep or cancel the race. Perhaps they'll catch Bernie in a charitable mood and get their fee slashed.
Quote from: ChrillInterlagos will be slightly revamped for 2013. The track itself won't change, but a new pit complex exclusively for Formula 1 will be built at what was formerly the straight after the start.
http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/05948#page_top
A chicane will be installed leading onto the "former" start/finish straight but most likely not used by Formula 1, thus rendering the F1 track exactly the same albeit starting at another place!!
Shifting the start/finish point will take some getting used to after all these years, but if that's what's needed to keep Interlagos as a viable F1 prospect then what the hell.
New Jersey circuit layout officially confirmed. Start/finish line is located by the Hudson River ferry terminal (scenic!) and from there the track runs clockwise for a total of 3.2 miles - apparently with much undulation & shifts of camber along the way. I maintain a stalwart belief that the configuration will allow for decent racing; rather wide image follows:
A return to Mexico is being pencilled in for next year, or so says one Spanish newspaper: http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/05/30/mexico-to-host-grand-prix-return-in-2013/
On the old (but refurbished) Hermanos Rodriguez circuit no less:
Quote from: ChrillI'd quite like that!! It seems both Russia and New Jersey will end up not making it, so why not?
Quote from: MattI mean, Bernie makes comments similar to those surrounding Jersey about every new race.
Yeah, he's quite the kidder. God knows how we'll cope when he's gone.
Montreal on cusp of new ten-year deal: http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/06/13/montreal-close-to-new-long-term-f1-deal-says-ecclestone/
Great news as it's one of those tracks whose absence would diminish the sport. At least for me. One point though, Bernie clearly struggling with simple maths/memory as Europe has eight races not ten, and from next year seven - though only until the next one (Hungary?) disappears.
Thailand fancies having a GP: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/thailand-eyes-2014-grand-prix-debut/
Well why not, a mere twenty races on the calendar at the moment so plenty of room for newcomers - New Jersey, Russia, Mexico, Argentina (aren't they borderline bankrupt?), Thailand... doubtless be another couple of hopefuls along shortly.
Bernie gives thumbs up to Interlagos redevelopment plan (first mentioned by Chrill in 10th May post): http://www.motorsport.com/#!/f1/news/ecclestone-approves-plan-to-move-interlagos-pits/
Quote from: ChrillIf we are to add five new races, we'll also have to lose five. Teams refuse more than 20 races a season. Rumours has it the Russian GP will be cancelled because they cannot financially pull off an F1 race the same year as the 2014 Winter Olympics. Perhaps Russia will have to wait to 2015 then...
Currently, no new tracks are confirmed for 2013. We actually "only" have 17 confirmed races for next season; all races from 2012 except Belgium, Japan, Europe (Valencia and Barcelona will alternate, starting with a Barcelona race in 2013) and Singapore, as well as the "Grand Prix of America" in New Jersey. We surely mustn't lose both Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps... There is room to add three more according to the old Concorde Agreement, but there'll be a new one for 2013. I'm guessing Belgium (alternating with France??) and Japan will stay on, perhaps the 20th race will be Argentina, Thailand or Mexico.
I see us with twenty next year but only as I'm assuming Suzuka and Singapore will be with us (though I could happily lose the latter) and that the Franco-Belgian alternation commences with Paul Ricard. If said assumptions are accurate then pressure to shed a track or two will hold until 2014, when Mexico and/or Thailand slide into the picture - does seem as if Russia will be ready later than first imagined.
So who to lose... Korea struggling to attract crowds/pay Bernie/build the promised city around the circuit. I suspect their days are numbered.
Quote from: ChrillNot a big lose, either. The only recently added track I like is the Buddh International in India. It's actually a pretty nifty piece of race track. Here's hoping Texas is even better. The start-finish straight ends in a steep incline before the first left hander.
Here's a work in progress of Codemaster's take on the Austin circuit as realized for F1 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3nK6Ch2lWc
Clearly they haven't got the speeds nailed yet as he tops out below 180 mph, but gives an idea of the track.
New French Govt. support GP return, but will it be Paul Ricard or Magny-Cours? http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/06/19/new-french-government-see-value-in-grand-prix/
Not exactly sure how this would work, but the Russian GP team is keen to incorporate the Winter Olympics stadium into their F1 track layout: http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/06/19/sochi-eyes-olympic-stadium-for-russian-gp/
Quote from: ChrillWhat, let the main straight run straight through, slap a sharp corner in the middle and hope for overtakes? Sure, sounds spectacular...
Yes, clearly the stadium is screaming out for one of Tilke's 'hairpin at end of massive straight' contraptions. Just need to remove one of those end grandstands. Can hardly wait....
Mexico next year? http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/06/21/mexico-working-on-2013-gp-return-says-billionaire-slim/
Don't get the reference to this mooted Mexican GP taking Valencia's 2013 slot, isn't New Jersey already doing that?
Quote from: ChrillAs far as I know, yes, New Jersey is doing that. Valencia and Barcelona is to alternate. France and Belgium too. I guess we will need to lose Singapore and South Korea