Still no 2010 F1 calendar
Without the Hockenheimring there may be no German Grand Prix next year
We last looked at the state of the 2010 F1 calendar back in June. Two months later and there’s still no sign of an F1 calendar for 2010.
At this point in the year the schedule for the next season has usually been released. Last year we saw the first draft of the 2009 calendar in June.
What’s the hold-up with the 2010 calendar, and what’s likely to be on it when it arrives?
Concorde Agreement talks
The political row which came to a head in the summer, and culminated in Max Mosley’s decision not to stand for election again this October, is partly to blame.
But with a new Concorde Agreement completed and signed by Mosley (and, presumably, the 12 remaining teams, though I’ve seen no confirmation of that) I expect we’ll see a draft 2010 calendar fairly soon.
The teams have indicated that F1 must have races in the major North American markets, which could be good news for American and Canadian fans. But as well as trying to get important events back on the calendar they need to make sure that others aren’t being lost.
Aside from that there’s little else to suggest what direction talks are heading in.
The British Grand Prix
Silverstone has recently been making loud noises about how it expects to keep the Grand Prix after all.
Meanwhile the circuit is drawing attention to the Moto GP round it has poached from Donington for 2010. The bike racing championship has confirmed its 2010 date and tickets are already on sale.
As Silverstone pointed out after the British Grand Prix in June, tickets for the next race usually go on sale the day after the last one. Without a date or venue confirmed, weeks of sales time and promotion have already been lost.
Questions
Several questions hang over the 2010 F1 calendar.
Fuji and Hockenheim, which respectively host the Japanese and German Grands Prix on rotation, have said they will not host F1 races in 2010. And it’s not a given that the circuits they share their races with will step up to fill the void.
The Nurburgring race organisers have said they cannot hold the German Grand Prix next year without a price cut. It’s not clear whether Suzuka, which is owned by Honda, can put on the Japanese round.
These events are among the most important for the manufacturer-based teams as they take place in some of the world’s largest car markets. If these two and the British round were to fall off the calendar for next year, the only country of the manufacturers’ five primary markets with a race with be China.
Are FOTA using their new-found influence to put pressure on Ecclestone to ensure these vital races aren’t lost? With a second car manufacturer in eight months announcing its departure from F1, now is not the time for it to become even less attractive a proposition for promotion.
The FIA has shown an appetite for rotating rounds of the World Rally Championship, and Ari Vatanen raised that possibility for F1 when I talked to him last month. Might that be a way of adding a more diverse range of venues without making the calendar longer?
The extended wait for a new calendar is another measure of how this year’s needlessly protracted political row has damaged the sport. With the Concorde Agreement now taken care of, hopefully F1 can soon return to business as usual.
Read more: 2010 F1 calendar
Accidentalmick said on 4th August 2009, 14:01
We are forgetting the big problem when discussing the high fees charged to hold an F1 race.
CVC need that level of income to service the debt they incurred when they bought the rights from the senile gnome. The amounts charged to the circuits cannot be reduced or CVC will go bust. Not a problem from our point of view but CVC don’t want it to happen.
Our only hope of a decent series was for Fota to have carried out their threat to create a breakaway series.
Adrian said on 4th August 2009, 16:15
Or charge the rich government funded races more and the traditional races less.
The governments who want F1 as a tourist attraction will pay it for the priviledge to be on the F1 calendar.
Robert McKay said on 4th August 2009, 16:01
Pitpass reporting that Bernie says we’re going back to Montreal in 2010…
Austin said on 4th August 2009, 16:42
Yes looks like Canada gets a race but not America. Bernie said “Forget Indianapolis. We’re not going back there,” he said.
Austin said on 4th August 2009, 16:59
Looks like the british GP is safe. “Ecclestone also suggested that Britain’s annual date is not under threat, explaining that if Donington can deliver “then we will be there – if not, then we will be staying in Silverstone.”
“Ecclestone also said he hopes Korea and India are the next countries to host Grand Prix.”
These are unusual ones though, India I can understand because of the Force India team but why Korea? Then again why Singapore. Soon there will be less european races on the calendar than the other continents put together. This is really becoming bernie’s circus than F1 racing. He’s making it into his own holiday destination’s he would like to visit.
Austin said on 4th August 2009, 18:10
Meanwhile, The mayor of Montreal denies a deal has been done yet.
“Ecclestone also said on Tuesday that while an F1 return to Indianapolis is not on the cards, his sport could host a United States Grand Prix somewhere else “the year after (2011).”
The yanks on here, which is the best place for a F1 race other than Indianapolis?
Gman said on 4th August 2009, 19:53
There have been numerous reports over the years of Bernie trying to stage a race in/around New York City- I believe he even had a few deals in place back in the 80′s but none of them resulted in a race being run. Some of those reports have been tied to the wishes of the France Family and ISC to build a motor racing complex on Staten Island to hold NASCAR races- I doubt they would cooperate with Bernie and vice-versa.
The teams have said numerous times they would love for the USGP to be near a major metropolitan area. In that case, you can’t get a better place than New yrok or LA, but having been to NYC many times, I can say I don’t know where or how anyone would set up an F1 circuit without getting mass complaints about street closings and noise pollution.
There are may other great racing facilities around, but many of them are owned by either SCI or SMI- two compaines that I can’t see Bernie doing business with. So we’ll just need to see what he pulls out of his sleeve in the future…..
net.sticks said on 4th August 2009, 17:48
Point 1. USA – Can’t do without them – Indianopolis or some street track like the late and great Long Beach, Las Vegas, Dallas…
Point 2. Canada – If it makes the calendar with two more races, great, we have more teams, what’s de problem, costs? Go ******** another.
Point 3. Make sure British GP remais in Silverstone, even if that makes them do some work there in the paddock area.
Clare_msj said on 9th August 2009, 18:21
I’d like to put in a good word for Indianapolis – I had a great weekend when I was there, and watching the cars go through the banked section was unbeleivable. The atmosphere was fantastic – in and out of the circuit, and the cost was a small fraction of what I pay to go to the British race every year. And I seem to recall a good few races at Indianapolis in the years F1 was there – even if some of them were somewhat controversial. If it should reappear on the calendar i would be back there in a shot! It would be nice to get to see an actual race there instead of a six car procession!!
Canada would be welcomed with open arms back onto the calendar next year if the reports are true – FANtastic place for a Grand Prix!
As for the British race – without a doubt there should be one, as there should a French and Italian at the very least. I think Silverstone has the history, but so long as there is one somewhere in this country i am happy! I like Silverstone, its become a tradition to go now, and i would have liked it to remain the venue for the British Grand Prix – but I’ll give Donington a chance i spose. Its perfect for the bikes, but I’m not so sure about the cars – we shall see!
Just hope the calendar comes out soon – intending on doing a spot of backpacking next year and i cant book owt until the calendar is published seeing as a couple of races are on the agenda!!! If its not soon I’m going to have to take a gamble and book anyways!!
dj said on 10th August 2009, 15:10
You had a good time at the last USGP with only six cars running? F1 will never be back at Indy….also the Canadian GP will not happen unless CVC is willing to pay damages (10m) to the last promoter of the Montreal GP.
Pink Peril said on 18th August 2009, 1:50
I agree – this lack of calendar is holding up my own 2010 travel plans :( Pull your finger out Bernie !