Bahrain should it be dropped from the calendar?
Discussion
Bahrain was the only race last year to be a total flop in F1 terms. The only reason they seem to goto that race is due to the fact of money. It is a money pit, its also a major racing pit, at the beginning of last season when the racing began. Bahrain stood out as the worst race in the whole of the year. A boring track with no overtaking what so ever. If this year is the same, even though they are going back to the old circuit, should it be dropped from the calendar once and for all?
Valencia was also crap, apart from a couple of big crashes. The only interesting bit about Abu Dhabi was how the title was decided, and that was all said and done well before the end of the race (barring an unlikely breakdown).
Bahrain was just unlucky that it was one of the few incident free races. A crap track is still a crap track if the only action was down to stupid driving and safety cars.
Bahrain was just unlucky that it was one of the few incident free races. A crap track is still a crap track if the only action was down to stupid driving and safety cars.
Definitely Bahrain.
We had exciting races at Australia when that used to be the opener, so unsure how/why Bahrain can be so bloody miserable and processional.
Would like to add Valencia to that list.
The track is narrow, dull and has waaay too much gray cement everywhere.
The scenery is boring, the track is boring.
We had exciting races at Australia when that used to be the opener, so unsure how/why Bahrain can be so bloody miserable and processional.
Would like to add Valencia to that list.
The track is narrow, dull and has waaay too much gray cement everywhere.
The scenery is boring, the track is boring.
Bahrain has some difficulties with being the first event in the calender. Teams are just getting into the race feeling.... As far back as I can remember the first race of the season is always a little tame.
The curcuit is a good challange for the drivers and I believe most like the place, its just a shame its so early in the calender.
I agree with the Valencia being dropped. In an age where Bernie is moving to new markets, why does Spain need 2 races? I think its most likely to do with Santander being a huge sponsor. Personally, move Bahrain to later in the season, possibly towards the end of the season so a back to back can be done with Abu Dhabi (cutting costs for transportation) and bin Valencia for the new American or Russian venues.
Than again, thats my personal opinion!
The curcuit is a good challange for the drivers and I believe most like the place, its just a shame its so early in the calender.
I agree with the Valencia being dropped. In an age where Bernie is moving to new markets, why does Spain need 2 races? I think its most likely to do with Santander being a huge sponsor. Personally, move Bahrain to later in the season, possibly towards the end of the season so a back to back can be done with Abu Dhabi (cutting costs for transportation) and bin Valencia for the new American or Russian venues.
Than again, thats my personal opinion!
Bahrain isn't a crap track. There are places to overtake, there are places to have an off, all the right ingredients are there.
Valencia is a bit boring, but I think the new rules will improve that over the next couple of years. The track is not narrow, its a minimum of 14 meters wide all the way around.
If I could ditch a circuit it would be Malaysia, horrible, horrible circuit.
Valencia is a bit boring, but I think the new rules will improve that over the next couple of years. The track is not narrow, its a minimum of 14 meters wide all the way around.
If I could ditch a circuit it would be Malaysia, horrible, horrible circuit.
Bahrain has three good overtaking points.....the end of the pit straight (De La Rosa in 2005 and Ralf/Sato had some great moves there), at the second straight there is the opportunity to go down the inside or outside (Heidfeld on Alonso in 2007) and the tricky left handed hairpin behind the pits. I remember Trulli making the only passing move (of his career?) there once.
I think the reasons it is a boring race have been covered in the other posts. Early season conservatism on strategy, tyres etc . Melbourne as a season opener has only been exciting when you get safety cars or rain....
I think the reasons it is a boring race have been covered in the other posts. Early season conservatism on strategy, tyres etc . Melbourne as a season opener has only been exciting when you get safety cars or rain....
1 said:
Often its unpredictable weather, in the race or quali that makes for a good race and unfortunately there aint no rain in Bahrain, unlike Malaysia.
Want a bet? I was there for the first Bahrain Grand Prix and it rained in the norning. The Middle East Formula BMW race held in the rain was great fun. Cars spinning here there and everywhere. There was a big cheer when one driver actually made it round the first corner on around the 6th lap, was the first time he hadnt spun at the corner.Had stopped raining and track dried in time for the Grand Prix.
Formula1Dragon said:
Redlake27 said:
Has anyone compared the number of overtakes at Silverstone in the last 5 years v Bahrain....
NO but I bet Silverstone has a hell of a lot more. If Bahrain flops again this year maybe it might be time to throw in the towel.A circuit can be a great challenge, but difficult to pass on. Spa, Hungaroring, Silverstone, Suzuka, Monaco are just five examples. However, throw in a random element (rain on half the track Spa, a safety car at Silverstone or Monaco, or unusual strategies at Monaco) and you get a great race. No random element means a dull race.
Some circuits are less of a challenge to lap, but make for great racing. The F1 at Indy, China, new Hockenheim and Fuji were good examples. Slow corners, long straights.
Very few circuits find a compromise. Turkey and Montreal are probably the only circuit I can think of that achieve both aims.
Formula1Dragon said:
Redlake27 said:
Has anyone compared the number of overtakes at Silverstone in the last 5 years v Bahrain....
NO but I bet Silverstone has a hell of a lot more. If Bahrain flops again this year maybe it might be time to throw in the towel.A circuit can be a great challenge, but difficult to pass on. Spa, Hungaroring, Silverstone, Suzuka, Monaco are just five examples. However, throw in a random element (rain on half the track Spa, a safety car at Silverstone or Monaco, or unusual strategies at Monaco) and you get a great race. No random element means a dull race.
Some circuits are less of a challenge to lap, but make for great racing. The F1 at Indy, China, new Hockenheim and Fuji were good examples. Slow corners, long straights.
Very few circuits find a compromise. Turkey, Interlagos and Montreal are probably the only circuits I can think of that achieve both aims.
Edited by Redlake27 on Saturday 8th January 13:09
Formula1Dragon said:
Redlake27 said:
Has anyone compared the number of overtakes at Silverstone in the last 5 years v Bahrain....
NO but I bet Silverstone has a hell of a lot more. If Bahrain flops again this year maybe it might be time to throw in the towel.Bahrain pays a huge amount to Bernie to hold the race. It doesn't matter if the racing is good or bad, there is no incentive for Bernie to take the race elsewhere.
Rule 1 of F1: F1 is a sport for 2 hours on a sunday afternoon, the rest of the time it is a business.
Rule 2 of F1: Bernie will always benefit from any deal done.
Rule 3 of F1: see rules 1 and 2.
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