Azerbaijan. Seriously Bernie, Azerbaiflippingjan?
Discussion
Why not?
As we know, the criteria a venue needs for holding a GP are now -
one despotic national leadership - check
one brand new circuit not used for any other forms of motor sport - check
no tradition or history of motor sport - check
no indigenous motor industry - check
total lack of interest from the local population - check
pots of money to Bernie - check
Sounds like an ideal venue to me.
As we know, the criteria a venue needs for holding a GP are now -
one despotic national leadership - check
one brand new circuit not used for any other forms of motor sport - check
no tradition or history of motor sport - check
no indigenous motor industry - check
total lack of interest from the local population - check
pots of money to Bernie - check
Sounds like an ideal venue to me.
zac510 said:
I only watch on TV anyway so who cares where it is?
Congratulations - you and the rest of the sofa watchers have destroyed the sport for many of us . Grands Prix used to be held on great circuits in countries with a massive motorsport heritage . Not any more . Enjoy Bahrain won't you ?You know the place , it's where they lock up medical staff because they treated protesters.Where next - Crimea ?The had the fia gt race on the streets of baku at the end of last year. Good looking layout but it was soleless and there wasn't much in the way of spectator facilities by the look of it, let alone spectators to use them! I believe stephan retal bunged the teams a load of cash to race there too, paying for all their transport, entry fees etc and offered a huge prize fund
Lack of spectator facilities shouldn't be a problem, getting an entry visa will put off most people from going.
You used to be able to get a visa atthe airport $100, but they changed that a few years back and you had to get one from the embassy in London before travel, it was not a quick process. That was a couple of years back it may have got easier.
I can't see an AZ F1 happening anytime soon though.
You used to be able to get a visa atthe airport $100, but they changed that a few years back and you had to get one from the embassy in London before travel, it was not a quick process. That was a couple of years back it may have got easier.
I can't see an AZ F1 happening anytime soon though.
coppice said:
zac510 said:
I only watch on TV anyway so who cares where it is?
Congratulations - you and the rest of the sofa watchers have destroyed the sport for many of us . Grands Prix used to be held on great circuits in countries with a massive motorsport heritage . Not any more . Enjoy Bahrain won't you ?You know the place , it's where they lock up medical staff because they treated protesters.Where next - Crimea ?greygoose said:
coppice said:
zac510 said:
I only watch on TV anyway so who cares where it is?
Congratulations - you and the rest of the sofa watchers have destroyed the sport for many of us . Grands Prix used to be held on great circuits in countries with a massive motorsport heritage . Not any more . Enjoy Bahrain won't you ?You know the place , it's where they lock up medical staff because they treated protesters.Where next - Crimea ?It is driven by CVC taking billions out of the sport over the last few years and the fees going up to pay for their bonuses and loans. If a country pays the right money they get a GP, simple.
The moneymen don't understand F1 from a fans perspective, all they are looking at is the return rate and the income generated. Bernie is the 'Rain Man' and they cannot sack him because he lays the golden eggs every two years.
The moneymen don't understand F1 from a fans perspective, all they are looking at is the return rate and the income generated. Bernie is the 'Rain Man' and they cannot sack him because he lays the golden eggs every two years.
If the race employs the street circuit from FIA GT it could be a pretty cool race. Apparently the country - and that region in particular - is hugely rich in natural resources. It will become considerably richer over the next few years. Certainly an infinitely preferable option to Bahrain; and for that matter Russia.
As for watching in person / watching on the telly, sadly there is only so much money for going to foreign race meetings. It'd be nice to have 19 races on circuits of Suzuka standard but those days are long gone. At least we have COTA - by far the coolest addition to the calendar in the last 20 years.
As for watching in person / watching on the telly, sadly there is only so much money for going to foreign race meetings. It'd be nice to have 19 races on circuits of Suzuka standard but those days are long gone. At least we have COTA - by far the coolest addition to the calendar in the last 20 years.
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