Time for a Polish Grand Prix?
17th July 2008, 7:00 by Keith Collantine 44 Comments »
Yesterday I gained a new appreciation of just how popular Robert Kubica is in his native Poland.
Monday’s poll on “Which F1 drivers do you like?” was picked up by several major Polish sports sites. Robert Kubica, who had been leading comfortably with a few hundred votes, suddenly rocketed to over 10,000.
Poland is a potentially huge market for F1 with a population of over 38 million. Has the time come to tap into the popularity of Kubica with a Polish Grand Prix?
Kubica, Poland’s first and only Polish driver, scored his maiden Grand Prix win at Montreal earlier this year and remains in the championshp hunt despite his BMW not quite being on the pace of the Ferraris and McLarens. For that, I picked him as my driver of the year so far.
There is only one Grand Prix in Eastern Europe at present, the Hungarian round, which has been on the calendar since 1986. Is it time for a second race in Eastern Europe in Kubica’s home country to capitalise on his success?
One obstacle to it would be the lack of racing circuits in the country I’m not aware of any tracks of substantial size in Poland. Kubica moved to Italy while progressing through the junior formulae because of the lack of motor racing infrastructure in Poland.
However plenty of countries with little motor racing history now have Grands Prix – Turkey, Bahrain and Malaysia for example. And none of these have had talented home drivers to cheer on – the closest being Malaysia’s Alex Yoong.
Given F1′s new-found appetite for street racing perhaps a race could be held on public roads in Warsaw? BMW made a visit to the city last month where Kubica gained a rapturous reception (pictured).
Of course, if we’re talking about countries with talented drivers that have never had a home Grand Prix, we can’t ignore Finland, home of Kimi Raikkonen, Heikki Kovalainen, Mika Hakkinen, Keke Rosberg…
Read more about Robert Kubica: Robert Kubica biography
milos said on 17th July 2008, 7:56
while it is impossible for F1 going to every country that has a driver on the grid, it would actually be nice of the races start going where the fans are, not where the money is …
DG said on 17th July 2008, 7:58
milos – are you going to tell Bernie or shall I ?
peterg said on 17th July 2008, 8:38
If Poland came come up with a better track than that tight, Mickey Mouse Hungarian horror….great?
Somehow I don’t think the economics of hosting a event, paying Bernie’s fee/ransom & building the venue is viable.
Gorivan said on 17th July 2008, 9:14
Kubica said himself something to the effect that it would be pointless to build a track in Poland. I mean, we don’t even have a decent road network that would allow the fans to get to the track in the first place. Plus Kubica, I think, could prove a bit of a one-off unfortunately, and in terms of driving he is more of an Italian than a Polish product. But one can always dream…
milos said on 17th July 2008, 9:41
DG – you can tell him
Michael K said on 17th July 2008, 9:59
Well, F1 certainly has a bigger appeal in Poland than it has in Hungary, but I would miss the Hungarian Gridgirls
Still I don’t know if Poland would be up for the high costs of getting a prestige object like an F1 race to their country.
If Bernie can smell money, he will go after the scent like a bloodhound. So if Poland wants to have a GP, put out the bait and wait for Bernie to come knocking!
HOSHIYAR said on 17th July 2008, 10:08
Ya, it is unbeleivable that finland having produced so many good drivers doesn’t have a grand prix of its own…
there are flying finns all over the motorsports…
i am not aware but i guess the infrastructure should not be a problem there…is it?
_Ben_ said on 17th July 2008, 10:11
Polish grand prix! Come on what about Finland. They have produced 3 world champions who have taken 4 between them. 3 of which have come in the last decade!
I hate it how F1 races are so about money and economics over where the true fans lie. When was the last time a Turkish, Bahrain, Chinese or Malaysian (Alex Yoong actually) grand prix driver even competed…if ever! This is not in anyway racist and I just feel if you have a world champion driver the least the The Big B can organize is a race in that country. And don’t say they don’t have the facilities because they can be built! We have all seen the pictures of the desert before the Bahrain track and after it…sheer greed from F1′s big Cheeses, it disgusts me – and especially with someone with Mosley’s reputation running it – It sometimes makes me embarrassed to say I’m a huge fan.
Ok my rant is over…Germany should be good
x
DG said on 17th July 2008, 10:21
Now, wouldn’t you think that the way Max and Bernie go on about taking Motorsport to new markets that they would have the capability of getting investors from the wealthy countries to help the growth of sport in the poorer ones? This would surely lead to a bit of industrial growth around the circuits, and maybe new drivers and teams appearing too.
As for the comments about Poland’s roads and infrasructure, check out the logistics for a GP at Donnington. The teams are OK as it is next door to an airport, but most British fans will struggle to find the place!
Scott Joslin said on 17th July 2008, 10:33
I agree Ben. We should be talking about a Finnish Grand Prix before we entertain a Polish Grand Prix, however due to the small population in Finland I doubt there would be a huge possibility for Bernie to line his pockets with gold.
Sush said on 17th July 2008, 10:34
finding Donnington during a race weekend?, follow the traffic.
Kuba said on 17th July 2008, 10:53
We’re talking about the race in Poland, but we’ve got only one man in whole competition – Kubica.
Finnish GP – it’s a good idea… Polish GP – maybe later..
Brakefluid said on 17th July 2008, 11:02
There used to be a Finnish Grand Prix at Imatra for Motorbikes. It was a road track that was fast and challenging (that must almost be code for ‘not suitable for F1′), but Sheene, Mamola, Roberts etc, did have to race over railway crossings…
Toncho said on 17th July 2008, 11:25
It would be great for the fans but I don’t see it happening. There is a huge problem in PL with the lack of infrastructures (highways, hotely,…) plus is not “on” or luxurious to atract Bernie. Still I hope poles prove me wrong, they are organaising UEFA 2012, so if they manage to build the roads they need and impress the world…
Toby said on 17th July 2008, 11:38
Assuming Bernie DID give a rat’s about the size of the fanbase in prospective F1 countries – rather than a mad grab for cash ala The Running Man’s “Climbing For Dollars” (remember that?), maybe he would look at returning to a 300 million+ populated country with a huge motorsport fanbase before going to Poland, Finland, Singapore, Bahrain, Hungary, Australia (unfortunately), Germany (twice recently), Spain (twice this year), UAE, Korea – the list may well go on soon. In the meantime, has anyone heard of “America! F*** YEAH!”? Seemingly not. But combine the populations of these other countries and you’d (I hope, for the sake of my case) only just top the U.S. This also wouldn’t be far off the total amount of U.S citizens willing to watch a Grand Prix and be influenced by TV advertising, I’d guess!
Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that Mr. E gives a crap about anything but big race fees. Imo, it’s DEFINITELY time to go, old boy.
Basically though, no hope for Poland, I’m afraid.
At least Canada has a GP though….