F1 Azerbaijan clash with Le Mans 2016
Discussion
I am both a WEC and F1 fan. I like watching both. Why would a date clash be engineered? Is it politics getting in the way of fan enjoyment again? I think it is great that Hulkenberg carried out both F1 and Le Mans duties. I would love to see other drivers do the same, and therefore at least be given the opportunity to do so. I for one will be watching Le Mans if there is a date clash, and will whole-heartedly applaud any F1 driver or team who goes the Le Mans route rather F1 on this weekend.
Prancing Hippo said:
I am both a WEC and F1 fan. I like watching both. Why would a date clash be engineered? Is it politics getting in the way of fan enjoyment again? I think it is great that Hulkenberg carried out both F1 and Le Mans duties. I would love to see other drivers do the same, and therefore at least be given the opportunity to do so. I for one will be watching Le Mans if there is a date clash, and will whole-heartedly applaud any F1 driver or team who goes the Le Mans route rather F1 on this weekend.
It's a shame I agree... I'd be surprised if it was an engineered clash though, if nothing else I can't believe that the bosses of both WEC and F1 are completely unaware that there is probably significant overlap in fan bases and that by conflicting some fans will have to choose which they visit/watch. It probably has more to do with it being a 21 race calendar and all the logistics surrounding cramming that into the year.I think WEC is seen as the biggest threat to F1 (in terms of popular global motorsport). I know my interests have certainly been heading away from F1 and towards WEC even though I still enjoy both. It wouldn't surprise me if the clash was orchestrated in order to steal some of Le Mans thunder.
If I'm forced to choose one or the other, it'll be LeMans for me.
If I'm forced to choose one or the other, it'll be LeMans for me.
if press are to be believed F1 is only allowed 20 dates.
Azerbaijan is the newest round to be added and the only track which is not currently built and ready save mexico which hopefully will be very shortly. Some would say Bernie has added it to the calendar to generate press and then drop it at a later point when its not ready again!
Azerbaijan is the newest round to be added and the only track which is not currently built and ready save mexico which hopefully will be very shortly. Some would say Bernie has added it to the calendar to generate press and then drop it at a later point when its not ready again!
Le Mans and WEC got a lot of exposure in the F1 world with Hulk's win this year. A few other current F1 drivers were starting to sniff around the endurance race. The easiest way for BE to nip that in the bud and protect his interests is a simple date clash.
I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
thegreenhell said:
Le Mans and WEC got a lot of exposure in the F1 world with Hulk's win this year. A few other current F1 drivers were starting to sniff around the endurance race. The easiest way for BE to nip that in the bud and protect his interests is a simple date clash.
I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
I agree with this, there was probably far too much talk about Le Mans by the F1 commentators after Hulkenberg won this year for Bernie's liking. It might well have led to lots of people thinking "must watch that next year" and then spotting that it is more interesting and, with the varied routes taken to lead a class, much more the pinnacle of motorsport than F1.I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
And that couldn't be allowed to happen so give people something else to do - a new race destination is bound to have some appeal, just in case it is actually good so a perfect distraction from Le Mans.
andyps said:
thegreenhell said:
Le Mans and WEC got a lot of exposure in the F1 world with Hulk's win this year. A few other current F1 drivers were starting to sniff around the endurance race. The easiest way for BE to nip that in the bud and protect his interests is a simple date clash.
I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
I agree with this, there was probably far too much talk about Le Mans by the F1 commentators after Hulkenberg won this year for Bernie's liking. It might well have led to lots of people thinking "must watch that next year" and then spotting that it is more interesting and, with the varied routes taken to lead a class, much more the pinnacle of motorsport than F1.I remember for many years LM used to clash with the Canadian GP, and in fact Martin Brundle would skip commentating on that GP so he could go racing at the 24.
And that couldn't be allowed to happen so give people something else to do - a new race destination is bound to have some appeal, just in case it is actually good so a perfect distraction from Le Mans.
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