Dream F1 Calendar
Discussion
Just had a look at the 2009 F1 Calendar and it's a bit depressing really. No Imola, no Canada, the new and rubbish Hockenheim and more featureless convoluted tracks half way around the world in countries which don't have any heritage of motorsport.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
The Nordschleife (as well as being unsuitable to modern F1 cars) would possibly be the most boring race in F1, with over 14miles for 17 cars to get lost in not only would there be very little overtaking but I doubt you'd ever get more than 2 cars in view at any time other than the start. 
Replace it with the old Hockenheim circuit.
Replace it with the old Hockenheim circuit.
Sadly, Imola is in a pretty poor state, which is why F1 stopped going there after 2006. And because of what happened on that weekend 15 years ago, I doubt the old fast design will be used, but that said, driver safety has come a very long way since then (see Kubica in Canada 2007, even Heikki at Catalunya this year) so it's possible, but the way they just let the circuit become run down means it'll be a while until they consider putting it back on the calandar, by which time there will be a million yards of runoff tarmac which you're not allowed to use.
Old Hockenheim would be good, to see Lewis and Felipe go wheel to wheel at 200mph would be so reminiscent of Mansell and Senna in the old days.
Old Hockenheim would be good, to see Lewis and Felipe go wheel to wheel at 200mph would be so reminiscent of Mansell and Senna in the old days.
dpbird90 said:
Sadly, Imola is in a pretty poor state, which is why F1 stopped going there after 2006. And because of what happened on that weekend 15 years ago, I doubt the old fast design will be used, but that said, driver safety has come a very long way since then (see Kubica in Canada 2007, even Heikki at Catalunya this year) so it's possible, but the way they just let the circuit become run down means it'll be a while until they consider putting it back on the calandar, by which time there will be a million yards of runoff tarmac which you're not allowed to use.
Old Hockenheim would be good, to see Lewis and Felipe go wheel to wheel at 200mph would be so reminiscent of Mansell and Senna in the old days.
I thought that this thread was meant to be for dreams. It'll take more than a few expanded run-off areas to make the Nordschleife feasible for F1.Old Hockenheim would be good, to see Lewis and Felipe go wheel to wheel at 200mph would be so reminiscent of Mansell and Senna in the old days.
Wrt Imola, it is true that they let the circuit run down. I'd say that that that was a cause, rather than a result.
For its last few years, the "San Marino Grand Prix" failed to attract a full crowd to the less significant of Italy's two annual F1 races. They let the circuit deteriorate because of insufficient interest, and resulting commercial weakness.
What I noticed driving the Nurburgring is that often faster cars get eaten up in the twisty bits by drivers who know the circuit well. Usually a local lad in a 1992 Golf 1.6 or similar...
I think the variation of the circuit between fast sweeping corners, twisty bits and that huge long straight could produce some interesting yo-yoing over the course of a lap and might produce a good race.
It's a shame they let Imola run down. Even the new lay out was quite nice on the eye and the last race (?) there with Schumacher chasing Alonso right to the line was a good one.
As for it being run down, I haven't been there but I don't like this habit of every circuit needing state of the art science laboratories for garages and an air conditioned media complex that looks like a 5 star hotel. If you can't build a car that can be run from a normal garage at a normal racing circuit then you need to simplify it a bit.
In my view this would probably be a far more effective way to cut costs than would endless silly agreements about ear shaped side pods and a one make brake pedal.
Mind you, there's probably a really good reason why I don't get to decide these things and Bernie Ecclestone does!
I think the variation of the circuit between fast sweeping corners, twisty bits and that huge long straight could produce some interesting yo-yoing over the course of a lap and might produce a good race.
It's a shame they let Imola run down. Even the new lay out was quite nice on the eye and the last race (?) there with Schumacher chasing Alonso right to the line was a good one.
As for it being run down, I haven't been there but I don't like this habit of every circuit needing state of the art science laboratories for garages and an air conditioned media complex that looks like a 5 star hotel. If you can't build a car that can be run from a normal garage at a normal racing circuit then you need to simplify it a bit.
In my view this would probably be a far more effective way to cut costs than would endless silly agreements about ear shaped side pods and a one make brake pedal.
Mind you, there's probably a really good reason why I don't get to decide these things and Bernie Ecclestone does!
Just looked on Wikipedia for the Imola Circuit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodromo_Enzo_e_Dino...
Looks like they have been busy fixing it, testing is allowed there and they're hoping to get FIA grade 1 status, so maybe we can go back the good old days of Imola soon, the only problem being the renovation was masterminded by Hermann Tilke, which means it will be a great architectural achivement but some of the magic will have been lost. Here's hoping it will be just as good as before.
Anyways, back ton the idea of a dream calendar, bring back the French GP but at the Reims circuit, obviously old Hockenheim, Imola, perhaps Laguna Seca? The Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve should be a permanent addition to the calendar, as should Silverstone (as much as I love Donington but again because of the redesign some of the magic will disappear, plus Silverstone is a more traditional home for the Grand Prix), Monza, Spa, and for the Australian race Adelaide should make a return (been watching too many Mansell vs Senna videos!), for Brazil either Interlagos or maybe the old Rio track if they got it sorted out, this would be my season finale as it's just the best place to hold it.
But I also want to see a return of the A1 Ring, if only because of the memories of when I was younger and on the F1 Playstation games, going flat out into the first corner and launching the cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodromo_Enzo_e_Dino...
Looks like they have been busy fixing it, testing is allowed there and they're hoping to get FIA grade 1 status, so maybe we can go back the good old days of Imola soon, the only problem being the renovation was masterminded by Hermann Tilke, which means it will be a great architectural achivement but some of the magic will have been lost. Here's hoping it will be just as good as before.
Anyways, back ton the idea of a dream calendar, bring back the French GP but at the Reims circuit, obviously old Hockenheim, Imola, perhaps Laguna Seca? The Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve should be a permanent addition to the calendar, as should Silverstone (as much as I love Donington but again because of the redesign some of the magic will disappear, plus Silverstone is a more traditional home for the Grand Prix), Monza, Spa, and for the Australian race Adelaide should make a return (been watching too many Mansell vs Senna videos!), for Brazil either Interlagos or maybe the old Rio track if they got it sorted out, this would be my season finale as it's just the best place to hold it.
But I also want to see a return of the A1 Ring, if only because of the memories of when I was younger and on the F1 Playstation games, going flat out into the first corner and launching the cars.
Ok, in an ideal world, no excuses.
Old oestereichring.
Nordschliefe
Rouen
Old spa
Brno
Monaco
Longbeach
Silverstone
Brands (european gp)
Old hockenheim
Monza pre- chicanes
Mont-tremblant
Suzuka
The new turkish one!
Circuit ricardo rodriguez mexico
San juan argentina.
Mix of old and new some no chance some every chance if the poison dwarf was out.
Old oestereichring.
Nordschliefe
Rouen
Old spa
Brno
Monaco
Longbeach
Silverstone
Brands (european gp)
Old hockenheim
Monza pre- chicanes
Mont-tremblant
Suzuka
The new turkish one!
Circuit ricardo rodriguez mexico
San juan argentina.
Mix of old and new some no chance some every chance if the poison dwarf was out.
AJS- said:
Just had a look at the 2009 F1 Calendar and it's a bit depressing really. No Imola, no Canada, the new and rubbish Hockenheim and more featureless convoluted tracks half way around the world in countries which don't have any heritage of motorsport.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
Almost perfect. I would offer to add Zandvoort (Dutch GP), Clermont-Ferrand instead of Dijon (French GP), Kyalami (S.African GP) and keep Istanbul & Shanghai from the new bunch.
I've never been a fan of Silverstone, but have to admit it is challenging for F1 cars and usually produces good races as you say. Long Beach was also memorable, but I too would rather see them tackle Road America. Or Laguna Seca?
I love Laguna Seca on the Playstation, and I did enjoy watching the CART/Champ Cars there. Don't really see it as a GP circuit though. Champ cars were big brutal things that looked great locking wheels, sliding round and kicking up dust. I would like to see F1 cars doing that too, but I sort of limited myself to 1 US GP. They do have some good circuits though. Watkins Glen is a nice one, and Mid Ohio looks like fun too.
AJS- said:
I love Laguna Seca on the Playstation, and I did enjoy watching the CART/Champ Cars there. Don't really see it as a GP circuit though. Champ cars were big brutal things that looked great locking wheels, sliding round and kicking up dust. I would like to see F1 cars doing that too, but I sort of limited myself to 1 US GP. They do have some good circuits though. Watkins Glen is a nice one, and Mid Ohio looks like fun too.
Mid Ohio would be a catastrophe waiting to happen!Have you seen the videos of the number of GT cars which take off and roll? IIRC one actually went cartwheeling over the fence!!
LaSarthe+Back said:
AJS- said:
I love Laguna Seca on the Playstation, and I did enjoy watching the CART/Champ Cars there. Don't really see it as a GP circuit though. Champ cars were big brutal things that looked great locking wheels, sliding round and kicking up dust. I would like to see F1 cars doing that too, but I sort of limited myself to 1 US GP. They do have some good circuits though. Watkins Glen is a nice one, and Mid Ohio looks like fun too.
Mid Ohio would be a catastrophe waiting to happen!Have you seen the videos of the number of GT cars which take off and roll? IIRC one actually went cartwheeling over the fence!!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IDq9XZKc9qg
i don't think F1 cars would like laguna seca much!
it's probably unpopular, but i reckon the teams should put on a demo race (no points) at indy - but using the full oval not the stupid in-field bit
otherwise, definitely road america.
i've driven the old spa (in my hire car). to be honest the new circuit is better, the old one is just a bit loop - much better for massively powerful older cars on skinny plastic tyres.
as for the facilities at modern tracks, malaysia although it looks quite pretty is already turning into a bit of a dump. to be honest, i prefer working at silverstone! canada also needs to be on teh list. and suzuka should be permanent (and probably the season finale)
it's probably unpopular, but i reckon the teams should put on a demo race (no points) at indy - but using the full oval not the stupid in-field bit
otherwise, definitely road america.
i've driven the old spa (in my hire car). to be honest the new circuit is better, the old one is just a bit loop - much better for massively powerful older cars on skinny plastic tyres.
as for the facilities at modern tracks, malaysia although it looks quite pretty is already turning into a bit of a dump. to be honest, i prefer working at silverstone! canada also needs to be on teh list. and suzuka should be permanent (and probably the season finale)
Edited by skinny on Friday 16th January 14:04
DaveShark said:
AJS- said:
Just had a look at the 2009 F1 Calendar and it's a bit depressing really. No Imola, no Canada, the new and rubbish Hockenheim and more featureless convoluted tracks half way around the world in countries which don't have any heritage of motorsport.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
I know that GP needs to reach a big, global audience yada yada, but for personal preference I'd rather see them on the great European tracks, so I got to thinking, what would my dream F1 calendar look like? And what about yours?
Brazil - Interlagos usually produces a good race.
Imola - Ideally the old fast circuit.
Nurburgring Nordschlieffe - However it's spelt
Road America - Don't think they ever had a GP but it's a great track
Monaco - Needs to be part of GP
Montreal - Good races, throws up some unusual results, why did they get rid of it?
Brands Hatch - Great circuit!
Silverstone - Good races
Monza - Good fast track
Old Hockenheim - Another good and even faster track
Spa - Love it
Suzuka - Way better than Fuji IMO
Dijon - Don't know much about this one but it looks like fun on the old videos
That's 13 good circuits, so it still leaves 3-4 races a year to drive around an airfield in Siam or wherever the next big market for F1 T shirts and baseball caps is.
Almost perfect. I would offer to add Zandvoort (Dutch GP), Clermont-Ferrand instead of Dijon (French GP), Kyalami (S.African GP) and keep Istanbul & Shanghai from the new bunch.
I've never been a fan of Silverstone, but have to admit it is challenging for F1 cars and usually produces good races as you say. Long Beach was also memorable, but I too would rather see them tackle Road America. Or Laguna Seca?
FourWheelDrift said:
The Nordschleife (as well as being unsuitable to modern F1 cars) would possibly be the most boring race in F1, with over 14miles for 17 cars to get lost in not only would there be very little overtaking but I doubt you'd ever get more than 2 cars in view at any time other than the start.
Replace it with the old Hockenheim circuit.
I still think it would produce an interesting race.Replace it with the old Hockenheim circuit.
1: Japan, Suzuka.
2: Pacific, Fuji.
3: Macau, Streets of Macau.
4: Singapore, Marina Bay.
5: Australia, Adelaide.
6: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina.
7: Turkey, Istanbul.
8: Italy, Monza.
9: Monaco, Monte Carlos.
10: France, Flins-Les Mureaux.
11: Germany, Hockenheim.
12: Europe, Nurburgring.
13: Austria, A1 Ring.
14: Belgium, Spa Francorshamps.
15: Britain, Brands Hatch.
16: Spain, Barcelona.
17: Mediterranean, Valencia.
18: United States, Laguna Seca.
19: California, Long Beach.
20: Brazil, Interlagos.
2: Pacific, Fuji.
3: Macau, Streets of Macau.
4: Singapore, Marina Bay.
5: Australia, Adelaide.
6: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina.
7: Turkey, Istanbul.
8: Italy, Monza.
9: Monaco, Monte Carlos.
10: France, Flins-Les Mureaux.
11: Germany, Hockenheim.
12: Europe, Nurburgring.
13: Austria, A1 Ring.
14: Belgium, Spa Francorshamps.
15: Britain, Brands Hatch.
16: Spain, Barcelona.
17: Mediterranean, Valencia.
18: United States, Laguna Seca.
19: California, Long Beach.
20: Brazil, Interlagos.
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