The 2017 Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1

[BLADErunner80]

Donnington Park apparently don't want the British GP and Brands Hatch would need huge changes to be ready for F1. Not sure which other venues would be suitable for the British GP.

Silverstone is everyone's desired option so can't see them not coming to a new agreement. One of the biggest attended GP's of the year can't break even, obviously not a deal that can continue.

The British goverment would never fund the event in the past and that's now even less likely.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Didn't Christian Horner spend the whole of 2015 trying to get out of Red Bull's Renault contract?

True, but Renault didn't deliver what was promised.

 

[EngieDiesel]

It was official yesterday when it was announced - that's what we've been talking about

...yeah, this is what happens when your work shift ends after midnight, you start losing track of what day it really is.

Anyway, Copenhagen has put up a preliminary layout for their proposed Danish Grand Prix in 2020. Not too sure if that crossover section is going to survive to the finalized design, but it's interesting to say the least!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Anyway, Copenhagen has put up a preliminary layout for their proposed Danish Grand Prix in 2020. Not too sure if that crossover section is going to survive to the finalized design, but it's interesting to say the least!

Have you got an image? It won't appear on my phone.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Alright, I've seen an image of the Copenhagen circuit. It's not what I was expecting, but then I didn't know what to expect because I never thought the idea of a Grand Prix in Copenhagen would be seriously considered.

Of more interest than the layout is some of the names attached. Tilke's presence makes me think this is actually somewhat serious, since he's the go-to guy for new circuits. Jan Magnussen's involvement is similarly interesting since he's a professional racing driver and I doubt he'd commit to the project if it were just a pipe dream. And Saxo Bank is a pretty sizeable backer that has been involved in global motorsport as a sponsor.

I still remain sceptical, though. 2020 is a long way away.

 

[boiltheocean]

Not sure which other venues would be suitable for the British GP.

None. Not a single other venue is up to the grade and frankly most UK circuits are too small to ever be upgraded to Grade 1. Donington is the only realistic candidate for improvements but they've just spent several years fixing the last attempt to bring F1 to the circuit.

 

[Liquid]

None. Not a single other venue is up to the grade and frankly most UK circuits are too small to ever be upgraded to Grade 1.

And that's the security Silverstone has previously been living under; the knowledge that no other circuit could reasonably take its place as the home of the British GP.

 

[RazorSharkz]

Have you got an image? It won't appear on my phone.

 

[EngieDiesel]

Alright, I've seen an image of the Copenhagen circuit. It's not what I was expecting, but then I didn't know what to expect because I never thought the idea of a Grand Prix in Copenhagen would be seriously considered.

Of more interest than the layout is some of the names attached. Tilke's presence makes me think this is actually somewhat serious, since he's the go-to guy for new circuits. Jan Magnussen's involvement is similarly interesting since he's a professional racing driver and I doubt he'd commit to the project if it were just a pipe dream. And Saxo Bank is a pretty sizeable backer that has been involved in global motorsport as a sponsor.

I still remain sceptical, though. 2020 is a long way away.

Just to clarify, Saxo Bank itself isn't actually backing it just yet. One of its co-founders is, along with a former member of Danish Parliament. That does give them strong inroads to gaining both financial and political support though, and if those can be secured in a timely manner than the chances of it being an actual thing go way up. Plus they're already discussing it with Liberty, who are interested in expanding the schedule in the near future.

I would say that this increases the likelihood of a London street circuit as well, as Sadiq Khan has said he's open to discussing the idea, but obviously nothing concrete has been laid out yet so unless they expidite the heck out of it I don't think they would be able to have it arranged fully within the timeframe given.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I don't see anywhere that the pits could go. Looking at satellite maps, the only likely place for them is Ved Stadsgraven, down the very bottom, but there isn't much space and the pit exit might be awkward.

I would say that this increases the likelihood of a London street circuit as well, as Sadiq Khan has said he's open to discussing the idea, but obviously nothing concrete has been laid out yet so unless they expidite the heck out of it I don't think they would be able to have it arranged fully within the timeframe given.

I just don't see it happening.

 

[EngieDiesel]

I don't see anywhere that the pits could go. Looking at satellite maps, the only likely place for them is Ved Stadsgraven, down the very bottom, but there isn't much space and the pit exit might be awkward.

At the moment it's just a preliminary layout that was designed to pass by some of the city's notable landmarks, and probably to attract those much needed backers. I'm sure that it'll be tweaked and rerouted as time goes on and they determine what would and wouldn't realistically work.

I just don't see it happening.

Unless Liberty commits to the idea of a London street circuit immediately and someone manages to pull a Richie Rich-level investor out of their pocket to get it going, it likely won't since it's still in the "wouldn't that be cool" phase. That probably won't stop them from dangling it over the BRDC's head while contract negotiations are happening, though.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

That probably won't stop them from dangling it over the BRDC's head while contract negotiations are happening, though.

I see no reason why Britain would be unable to host two races. After all, Spain and Germany have previously held two. I know Liberty's priority is getting into new markets, but it could work. The real problem is that the best roads are around Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I don't think there will be a British Grand Prix in 2019.

This weekend, I have been seeing "#countdownto1000" on the walls around the old pit straight. I think the 1000 refers to the 1000th Grand Prix.

Thanks to @Jimlaad43, we know that this weekend is the 966th Grand Prix. With ten more races this year, we'll be at 976. There are twenty-one races planned for 2018, which will take us to 997. That means that the third round of the 2019 season will be the 1000th Grand Prix.

Given that the championship started at Silverstone, it would be appropriate for the 1000th round to be at Silverstone. But given that it's such a milestone, I don't think that it should be the 2019 British Grand Prix. It should be a celebration of the sport, so maybe something like the "Millenia Grand Prix".

 

[FutureF1]

I don't think there will be a British Grand Prix in 2019.

This weekend, I have been seeing "#countdownto1000" on the walls around the old pit straight. I think the 1000 refers to the 1000th Grand Prix.

Thanks to @Jimlaad43, we know that this weekend is the 966th Grand Prix. With ten more races this year, we'll be at 976. There are twenty-one races planned for 2018, which will take us to 997. That means that the third round of the 2019 season will be the 1000th Grand Prix.

Given that the championship started at Silverstone, it would be appropriate for the 1000th round to be at Silverstone. But given that it's such a milestone, I don't think that it should be the 2019 British Grand Prix. It should be a celebration of the sport, so maybe something like the "Millenia Grand Prix".

Liberty could maybe convince the BRDC to host a special round of the 2019 season at Silverstone?

 

[Jimlaad43]

I

I don't think there will be a British Grand Prix in 2019.

This weekend, I have been seeing "#countdownto1000" on the walls around the old pit straight. I think the 1000 refers to the 1000th Grand Prix.

Thanks to @Jimlaad43, we know that this weekend is the 966th Grand Prix. With ten more races this year, we'll be at 976. There are twenty-one races planned for 2018, which will take us to 997. That means that the third round of the 2019 season will be the 1000th Grand Prix.

Given that the championship started at Silverstone, it would be appropriate for the 1000th round to be at Silverstone. But given that it's such a milestone, I don't think that it should be the 2019 British Grand Prix. It should be a celebration of the sport, so maybe something like the "Millenia Grand Prix".

I saw it on the screens, it is a countdown to 1000 GP's, because the hashtag beside it said 966 and counting.

 

[TenEightyOne]

But given that it's such a milestone, I don't think that it should be the 2019 British Grand Prix.

One might argue that such a milestone would be most appropriately met at the same track where the WDC first started, 1000 races ago. Not to you though, obviously

 

[prisonermonkeys]

One might argue that such a milestone would be most appropriately met at the same track where the WDC first started, 1000 races ago. Not to you though, obviously

I said that it should be at the same place the championship started out. It can be at Silverstone without being the British Grand Prix. As the 1000th race, it should be a celebration of the sport. Which is why I suggested a name like the "Millenial Grand Prix". It should be like the 100th Indianapolis 500 or the 2006 Bathurst 1000 and transcend being an ordinary race; one that produces a surprise result, but a result that on reflection is somehow the best result that could have come about - like Renault playing an unconventional strategy so that Nico Hülkenberg goes from the back row of the grid to taking the only victory of his career.

 

[EngieDiesel]

Singapore is working on a new deal to remain on the calendar past this year, and the promoter says they're "very close". Details are still very sketchy at the moment though.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton says that Britain should be pushing for a second race as well as keeping Silverstone, much to the surprise of probably no one at all.

 

[Liquid]

F1 Fanatic - Charlie Whiting investigates potential for return to long track at Buenos Aries

It's down to the promoters to finance and make the changes necessary.

 

[TenEightyOne]

The Mexican GP will go ahead. BBC.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Danish GP has been formally proposed

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/danish-grand-prix-proposal-revealed-958261/

There is just about space for runoff areas, but lost of stuff would need clearing up http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7148168
What worries me is the way the track narrows for the end of the longest straight and the proximity to the water. But apart from that and the pitlane, it could be quite good.

I have no idea where the pitlane will be on that track, but I'm always open to new tracks on the calendar. I suppose it all hangs on KMag being good enough to stay in F1 that long...

 

[Carbon_6]

So it would be a figure-8 layout like Suzuka when they get to the Langebro bridge.

I'd imagine the cars would cross the bridge first then pass under it.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I have no idea where the pitlane will be on that track, but I'm always open to new tracks on the calendar. I suppose it all hangs on KMag being good enough to stay in F1 that long...

Langebro is easily wide enough for a temporary pit lane, I should think.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Langebro is easily wide enough for a temporary pit lane, I should think.

For Formula E maybe, but not F1. They like a largish paddock behind the garages (except Monaco, but that's an exception that rules aren't allowed to follow), even Baku has to stick trucks behind the garages in front of the massive building there.

This is the only place I can actually find space for a pitlane http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7148282. There's very little parkland behind it (which I'm sure the Green people will absolutely love to see tarmacked over) before the water - which is the main problem where the aren't buildings. Your other problem with that pitlane is a really narrow startline into turn 1 onto Torvegarde. Until I see something that shows a pitlane, I'm not convinced this will work.

 

[Lewis_Hamilton_]

Can't wait to have another circuit that consists entirely of straights and 90 degree hairpins again. I mean why would anyone even suggest the unpardonable idea of picking a location with some smooth medium to high speed curves? What a detestable thought that would be.

 

[TenEightyOne]

This is the only place I can actually find space for a pitlane http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7148282. There's very little parkland behind it (which I'm sure the Green people will absolutely love to see tarmacked over) before the water - which is the main problem where the aren't buildings. Your other problem with that pitlane is a really narrow startline into turn 1 onto Torvegarde. Until I see something that shows a pitlane, I'm not convinced this will work.

It would be possible to park the trucks behind/around the casino... means a bit of legwork for the mechanics of course. Overflow truck parking would fit on Amager Boulevard, that would end up being behind the pit-lane exit (in my mental plan at least)

 

[Jimlaad43]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-bosses-in-talks-to-hold-vietnam-gp-961514/

Why not try to bring back the Moroccan or South African GP, Formula E has more of a presence in African than F1. How about an Egyptian Grand Prix or something? We don't need more Asian GP's, go to Africa, European countries with current drivers or New Zealand.

 

[PeterJB]

Yeah, I've always been of the belief that a world championship should have at least one race in Africa.

 

[EngieDiesel]

I'm guessing it's due to the main prerequisite for adding a new GP now is rich private investors, since authoritarian governments trying to deflect attention from their dubious human rights records have stopped showing interest. That and whether there's a suitable place to set up a street circuit since building Tilkedromes out in the backend of nowhere has fallen out of favor as well.

 

[H20HYBRID_GT]

Re: Danish GP

I think looking at the proposed course it's pretty obvious where the pits would go?

Excuse my tremendously awesome photo shop skills:

Or am I missing something??