Fuji to replace Suzuka as Japanese GP in 2007

[Carl.]

Although I hate to say it; The Chinese market is much more important for the sport's future, than having a second race at that sterilized piece of pavement they presently call the Nurburgring.

Since it's being Tilkened for $240M, I guess it's here to stay...

With the future of Hockenheim in serious doubt, Germany's other Formula One host has vowed to plough $240m into upgrading its track.
Nurburgring boss Walter Kafitz told the 'Rheinzeitung' newspaper that the revamp - masterminded by renowned F1 architect Hermann Tilke - will be the biggest since 1927.
Among the Nurburgring facelift, to be partly financed by private investors, will be a new main grandstand, a four-star hotel and shops.
Construction approval for the upgrade is already being sought, the German newspaper said.
​

Also, I don't understand why anyone would hate Bahrain's track after the last weekend...

 

[amp88]

I suppose he can't really mess it up more than it already is...

 

[Kylehnat]

The length of the straight mixed with the intrinsic vibrations of V8 might make for a few grenades by the end of the straight excluding a chicane or 2 thrown in for good measure.

There are plenty of other mile-long (or close to it) full-throttle runs. China, Monza, Indy, Spain, and Canada all have extended pedal-to-the-metal straights. Assuming the engineers got it all wrong this year (I seriously doubt that), their engines for next season be built to take the punishment, so when Fuji joins the calendar, it's front straight will be a non-issue.

 

[wfooshee]

There are plenty of other mile-long (or close to it) full-throttle runs. China, Monza, Indy, Spain, and Canada all have extended pedal-to-the-metal straights. Assuming the engineers got it all wrong this year (I seriously doubt that), their engines for next season be built to take the punishment, so when Fuji joins the calendar, it's front straight will be a non-issue.

Not quite that long. A mile at 200 MPH is 18 seconds. Since the beginning will be MUCH less than 200 coming out of that hard right turn, we may be looking at 22 to 25 seconds. There's nothing currently approaching that. Indy's section on the oval, from turn 11 to the braking at turn 1, is about 13 seconds of full-on acceleration.

Old Monza, pre-chicanes, had some very long runs, but that's why the chicanes have been placed where they are. Parabolica to Curve Grande is about the same as Fuji's front straight, but what do you find a little past halfway down?

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Well, Toyota uses Fuji as a test track sometimes, so F1 cars have run there several times already. I remember Ralf Schumacher stating that " the nice, long straight was still there" when he first tried the track. That was with a V10 engine, but I can´t see any issues with that straight.

About Spa (someone didn´t know why it was excluded), the track is being freshened up, and so are it´s commodities, and seemed to be scheduled to be finished mid- or late september, so they simply scrapped the race this season, but it will most likely be back in -07.

 

[graveslids]

Although I hate to say it; The Chinese market is much more important for the sport's future, than having a second race at that sterilized piece of pavement they presently call the Nurburgring.

Hungary could stand to go bye-bye, can anyone name an interesting, much less an exciting race, there?

Personally, although I understand the history of both circuits, I find neither too terribly interesting to watch, realisticly I could do without either. That being said, I'm not exactly a fan of giving up any round of the championship, even though it stretches out for the majority of the calendar. However,I figure the teams will have a "freindly gathering" at the end of this season and inform the Max and Bernie show of the need to keep the schedule at 18 races or below, more than likely closer to 16. So yes, look out, I have a feeling many a fan fave is headed the way of the Dodo.

I think also I'm the only one that finds the Chinese track kind of neat looking. Even if Tilke designed it.

I like the looks of it, was astoundingly photogenic with the SuperBikes flicking back and forth through the 1st to 4th turn complex.

 

[Blake]

Or even loose Imola! Can´t say that track has hosted any exiting F1 races lately. Or will the new configuration be finished for this years GP? In that case, let it stay.

Uh, did you see last years race?

I think also I'm the only one that finds the Chinese track kind of neat looking. Even if Tilke designed it.

On F1 games I really like driving on it.

 

[Brett]

Last year's race at Imola was a good one. Great battle between Alonso and Schumi.

 

[Intel_Celeron]

which fuji will it be there are 4 from GT4

 

[Kylehnat]

It's the Fuji 2005 track (not the GT version).

 

[tigermoth737]

There is one thing that everyone has forgotten: Bernie doesnt go to places like China, Bahrain and Turkey for spectacle, he goes there for money.

 

[Blake]

Yet, Bahrain and Turkey are some of the better tracks on the calendar.

 

[tigermoth737]

Exactly

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Uh, did you see last years race?

Yes I did, and allthough the race between Schumi and Alonso was exciting, Schumi was clearly faster, but because of the track, he was unable to pass. At the time, I was happy about that, since I really wanted Alonso to win, but thinking about it made me realise that the tracks have way to much impact on the championship. Like Monaco, where overtaking is virtually impossible. That just about means that qually settles the race, and that is not what I call "great racing". Imola and Hungaroring are two other venues like that, and should for all I know either be revised (Imola is actually being somewhat rebuilt) or scrapped from the calendar.

Other tracks I´d like to see replaced, except Monaco, Imola and Hungary are Australia, Nürburgring, Indianapolis and Brazil. That would currently leave Bahrain, Sepang, Catalunya, Silverstone, Gilles Villenueves, Magny-Course, Hockenheim, Istanbul, Monza, Shanghai and Suzuka. That makes 11 venues. Add Fuji, Spa-Francorchamps, some other US circuit (Sebring?), a Russian venue and maybe some other Aussie venue and there you have a full season!