Mexico in, New Jersey out on 21-race 2014 calendar

2014 F1 calendar

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The provisional 2014 F1 calendar features a record 21 races and sees Mexico return as New Jersey is dropped again.

The draft calendar, revealed by Autosport, features three races not on this year’s schedule in Mexico, Austria and Russia. The latter will take place at a new venue in Sochi.

A planned race on the streets of New Jersey, which was originally on the 2013 schedule but later dropped, has failed to find a place again. Bernie Ecclestone has said on several occasions the chances of the race happening looked doubtful.

There is no Indian Grand Prix on the planned schedule but is expected to return in 2015.

Korea will move from its present October slot to an April date, though it is listed as being subject to approval, as are the Mexican and Russian races. The latter pair will take place towards the end of the 21-race schedule.

Some team principals had previously said they do not want to see the schedule extend beyond 20 races, as there were on last year’s calendar.

RoundRaceCircuitDateForum
1Australian Grand PrixAlbert ParkMarch 14 – 16Forum
2Malaysian Grand PrixSepang International CircuitMarch 21 – 23Forum
3Chinese Grand PrixShanghai International CircuitApril 4 – 6Forum
4Korean Grand PrixKorean International CircuitApril 11 – 13Forum
5Bahrain Grand PrixBahrain International CircuitApril 25 – 27Forum
6Spanish Grand PrixCircuit de CatalunyaMay 9 – 11Forum
7Monaco Grand PrixMonte-CarloMay 22 – 25Forum
8Canadian Grand PrixCircuit Gilles VilleneuveJune 6 – 8Forum
9Austrian Grand PrixRed Bull RingJune 20 – 22
10British Grand PrixSilverstoneJuly 4 – 6Forum
11German Grand PrixHockenheimringJuly 18 – 20Forum
12Hungarian Grand PrixHungaroringJuly 25 – 27Forum
13Belgian Grand PrixSpa-FrancorchampsAugust 22 – 24Forum
14Italian Grand PrixMonzaSeptember 5 – 7Forum
15Singapore Grand PrixSingaporeSeptember 19 – 21Forum
16Japanese Grand PrixSuzukaOctober 3 – 5Forum
17Russian Grand PrixSochiOctober 17 – 19
18Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas MarinaOctober 24 – 26Forum
19Mexican Grand PrixAutodromo Hermanos RodriguezNovember 7 – 9
20United States Grand PrixCircuit of the AmericasNovember 14 – 16Forum
21Brazilian Grand PrixInterlagosNovember 28 – 30Forum

2014 F1 season


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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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112 comments on “Mexico in, New Jersey out on 21-race 2014 calendar”

  1. There is a mistake already. Korea moving forwards maybe rain on the cards. Russia will get through. There will probably be no more races cut. Argentina and Chile in 2015 for F1?

    1. @william – It’s unlikely to be run at all. The economy couldn’t support it, and the plans for a race in Mar del Plata appear to have been put forward to distract the public from domestic issues.

      And I have no idea where you’re getting the idea if a Chilean Grand Prix from.

        1. @william – That’s hardly the most reliable source. Most major news sources will pick up on any plans early on, no matter how specious or far-flung they may seem. Like when Hugo Chavez announced that he wanted to hold a Venezuelan Grand Prix on the Isla Margarita back in 2009. But I can’t find anything to corroborate the idea that Argentina, who have made several bids in recent memory, will lobby for a spot on the 2015 calendar, much less Chile, who as far as I am aware have never expressed any interest in hosting a race.

        2. As a Mexican I Am happy to hear the news and already decided to attend from the farthest corner of my country, provided confirmation by FIA.
          In regards to the article mentioned and dated September 4 2013, it does announce a rivalry between a new venue in Chile and an old one in Argentina, it mentions the confirmation of a moto gp race for next year at the Argentinian track, which I just tried, but could not find next year calendar at the moto gp site, the Chilean site is said to be finished by the end of this year in the same article. The article is at the Link Above and corresponds to infobae.com, hope it helps.
          Congratulations to all the other sites in the calendar and looking forward to more races, and Austria is a great track. If it happens in Mexico, hope to see you all here.

    2. Chile? Where did that come from? @william

      How’s Sochi weather in October?

      Other than physical, 21 races will be financially demanding for a number of teams.

      1. @jcost I don’t think finance would be an issue – unless they had to employ another race team the extra sponsorship money from having more tv coverage should easily negate transport costs etc. I would believe.

        1. I hope you’re right and if so, adding new GPs is good for everyone.

      2. Sochi’s weather in October is ok, somewhere around 17-20 that time of year, with lows in the low teens. There is a lot of citrus grown in the general region along the Black Sea coast with many resorts there, from Sochi over thru Abkhazia and into Georgia. It is considered the Russian Riviera, have spent a lot of time in Abkhazia and Georgia and al ot of times my transit out of the region is via Sochi back to Moscow and back to Geneva, CH, for my work, etc.

      3. “The month of October is characterized by rapidly falling daily high temperatures, with daily highs decreasing from 23°C to 18°C over the course of the month, exceeding 26°C or dropping below 14°C only one day in ten. ”

        So no snow, sadly :(

        1. @paeschli

          LOL. I was expecting really low temperatures. That would be wonderful.

    3. Well, the 2010 Korean Grand Prix was one of the most exciting races of the 2010 season, in pouring rain. More exciting than the 2011 race, and that in turn was much better than the 2012 race.

  2. I think the German GP is scheduled to run at Hockenheim again in 2014, not the Nürburgring.

    1. i didn’t pick up on that

    2. And what about Valencia Street Circuit for Spanish Grand Prix?

      1. It will not take place as Circuit de Catalunya is now called Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. They never reached an agreement between Bernie, Valencia and Catalan

  3. 21 GP seems overkill to me.

    Since the turn of the century the calendar has gained four extra race weekends and an extra month in length.

    The season finishing a day before opening my advent calendar (it’s perfectly acceptable to still have one right?) seems quite a strange prospect, although as we know back in the early years of the championship, races in December-February were fairly common)

    1. I can’t get enough races, there could still be room for a South Africa / Middle East double-header in February, which would open the April slot for India’s supposed return.

      1. @proesterchen South Africa race is overdue.

      2. I agree, we always want more :D

    2. Indeed, but in all likelyhood one of these events will probably drop off at some point. New Jersey is the classic example. We always have this debate and yet in the last few seasons we’ve not been over 20 (yet), and I doubt it will occur next year.

      1. Yeah Mexico seems pretty unlikely …

      2. Yeah, and off course this isn’t even the final calendar yet, so it might change before its even gets voted on.

    3. Never too old for an Advent Calendar :D

  4. It’s pretty simple to get the Americans’ to love F1. Have only drivers from the U.S and still call it a World Championship. Much like Baseball and NBA.

    1. But… NBA is a national league, it’s right there in the name. Much like Bundesliga or English Premier League are national football leagues. NBA is widely considered the best basketball league in the world, but they employ many players who were born outside of the United States… and they don’t call it a “World Championship”. This comparison is just wrong on every level.

      1. @maroonjack
        But in NBA they were used to call the champion “World Champion”. It’s a no brainer, once the NBA champion is probably the best team in the world but the league doesn’t call its champion “World Champion” officialy anymore, I guess.

    2. I guess you don’t watch the MLB or NBA because they’re full of non-Americans, especially Baseball. When you have a sport at the pro level that dominates like baseball, basketball, American football and even hockey with the NHL, you might as well call it a World Champoinship because there isn’t better competition anywhere.

      Why are you so upset, is it because Bernie understands where the money is at?

      1. Bernie understands where the money is at? Like Valencia and Korea?

        1. Yeah, but Korea is still paying………so Bernie is right, at least for Bernie.

          1. yeah screw the fans who unanimously dislike the race, as long as Bernie gets his money. You’d think he has enough already. Mind you, bribery isn’t cheap….

  5. Mexico and Austria are two venues I’m really looking forward to. Both tracks have character, charisma, which is something that makes a weekend special imo. If my bank account gives permission, maybe I can get hold of some tickets for Austria next year. :)

    1. This.
      I’m very happy to see Mexico back on the calender… And I live within driving distance to the supposed New Jersey race and I don’t really care to go there.

  6. @Keithcollantine I think the Brazilian gp month is wrong.

  7. Really great and rather unexpected to see two old circuits returning. I never thought I’d see it happen.

  8. Looks to me like the best F1 Calendar for at least 10 years – Mexico (providing they don’t mess with Hermanos Rodriguez too much) and A1-Ring are both fantastic tracks, and Russia has the potential to be at least good. Without Bahrain and with New Jersey, the calendar would look perfect, but I’ll take this one all the same.

  9. I don’t approve of the Korean GP. Please get rid of it.

    Shame about New Jersey, but I’ve been half-expecting this ever since they started saving dates for Montreal, Austria and a clear weekend for Le Mans – there just wasn’t a space for it.

    1. I don’t approve of the Korean GP. Please get rid of it.

      I like the korean Gp, its a decent track (drivers like it) & the races have been pretty good, kept me thoroughly entertained throughout with some nice battles, good overtaking etc….

      1. To be honest, the only thing wrong with the Korean GP is that it’ so secluded; a 4 hour drive to the airport is just ridiculous.

        1. Korea doesn’t seem to have massive interest in F1 though, nor is it in a particularly stable sector of the world. North Korea are a bit sketchy.

          1. There are a lot sketchier places to hold GPs than South Korea. Bahrain springs to mind.

          2. @kanil I know, am I celebrating Bahrain’s retention?

            North Korea is particularly sketchy though because they will be nuclear strike capable soon enough. And I don’t trust Kim Jong-un.

          3. If they are Nuke capable it doesn’t matter if your in South Korea or South Africa….

    2. Korea is likely there as a bargaining chip. I.e. they are contracted to hold races – either hold another one 6 months after the last huge loss of an event, or pay up even more than they wanted to cancel the remainder of the contract. Russia and Mexico will be in if building work etc. is done. New Jersey will join up when they can get enough money/their slot back with Canada. So I expect 20 races next year, co-incidentally the amount Bernie can get without paying extra money to the teams. Go figure!

  10. It’s a bit long but not actually that bad. Having two races in the United States always seemed a tad unnecessary to me so having one in Mexico certainly spreads it out a bit more. Putting Korea with the first few flyaway races also makes sense logistically though personally I would’ve got rid of it or Bahrain instead of India. Finally the addition of another European races (or two – I don’t know if Sochi is classed as Europe) is certainly going to be a welcome addition considering some peoples complaints about the lack of European races.

    1. Bernoe won’t get rid of Bahrain. Russia is technically part of both Asia and Europe. Good provisional calendar I must say besides I don’t want in season testing at all

    2. But Mexico City is closer to Austin than New Jersey is. Going to Mexico City is hardly spreading the races around!

      1. Nurburgring and Spa are also relatively near each other so surly we don’t need them both =P

        Seriously though, the point I was trying to make is that I’d rather two different countries have one race each than one country hosting two races.

  11. 21 races is a pretty big ask of the teams. That’s a lot of people putting in a lot of long work weeks.

    I’m glad Melbourne is still kicking off the season.
    And I think moving the Korean GP might help the enthusiasm for it although april does tend to be a bit chilly there, even down south.

    1. Chilly would mean a less grippy track, and with the new cars, that could provide a unique challenge, so it could be an interesting race.

    2. Good challenge for Korea to move to April

  12. Brazil is in November.

    1. @f1andy83 So? It’s been in November since 2010 iirc

  13. It’s very bizarre to see only two far-east races during the second flyaway period. And only one of them is an early morning wakeup call (from my European perspective, of course).

    Interesting to see Korea move to the start of the season. I wonder how this will affect the entertainment value of the race, since races held at the more unpredictable end of the season tend to be more exciting. I remember when China was held at the end of the season, it was usually (without the intervention of rain) a rather dull race. But since moving to the start of the season, it’s become one of the most consistently exciting Grands Prix on the calendar.

    It will also be interesting to see how Hnos. Rodriguez is modernised. It’d be nice to see them race on the current circuit, but I can’t see how they can bring the track to FIA safety standards without dramatically altering the venue. I would assume they will use the old detour through the baseball stadium as they did in the Champ Car days.

  14. Chris (@tophercheese21)
    5th September 2013, 12:27

    I thought a deal was struck between Bernie and the Bahrain king that the Sakhir circuit would host the opening race?

    Guess those plans didn’t come to fruition then eh?

    1. @tophercheese21 – So did I as Bahrain was supposed to start on March 2. Anyway Bahrain is R5 of the 2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Sep 28 is the FIA World Motor Sports Council where they released the 2nd draft of the calendar

    2. There was supposed to be an astronomical increase in hosting fee if they moved it to the starting race…. I guess Bahrain didn’t want to pay that.

  15. I just don’t understand how the people in Mexico believe that fans will come to their country. There are more drug killings right now than ever before. It’s sad down there.

    1. Do you live there?

      1. If he did he would say: “It’s sad down here“.

      2. The fact that he says “down there” points to Steve C being from the USA or Canada.

    2. Mexico City is not the safest place in the world but it’s one of the most populated places on earth, so they don’t need zillions of foreigners to sell out the event, I wonder how this event will affect the US GP in terms of attendance.

      I will not go though. I hear many bad stories about São Paulo too. I’ve been there twice, once for the GP and everything went alright.

    3. Mexico as a whole is pretty unsafe at the moment (apparently), but Mexico City is a long way from being the worst. In fact, if we’re going to talk about killings, there are many cities in the USA with far worse murder rates than Mexico City.

    4. Most of the drug-related violence in Mexico has been between the cartels as they fight for control of smuggling routes in the northern states. The capital – and the wider civilian population – have been largely unaffected.

      To suggest that the race should not happen because if this violence is the same as suggesting that the Australian Grand Prix should not be held in Melbourne because outlaw bikie gangs are fighting for control over the local methamphetamine market in Sydney.

    5. Two points @ Steve C:

      They don’t need to rely on foreigners to sell the event. Mexico City is not only one of the most populated places on earth, but also one of the wealthiest metropolitan areas in the world.

      Believe it or not, Mexico City is also relatively safe. Definitely safer than New York or Chicago. It’s not Juarez, Monterrey or Acapulco.

    6. You know what’s sad? Your ignorance.

      1. I can’t believe my reply to Steve C got deleted. Did someone find it offensive? If it was in some way then Steve C’s post should have also been removed.

        I didn’t use any offensive language just merely pointed out his narrow minded comment and disagreed. Strange

  16. Does anyone actually know the plans for the Mexican track?

    No way they’re allowing them to use the Peraltada in this condition!

    1. Me don’t know because I live in Australia

    2. @ecwdanselby – The plans have not been made public.

    3. I was thinking the same thing. Peraltada reminds me of Tamburello at Imola- both corners are impossible to bring up to current F1 safety standards without ruining them. Also, Mexico City is geologically a nightmare for putting down smooth asphalt because it is constantly sinking! A big reason F1 stopped racing there was because it was too bumpy. It’s a good layout, but it will be hideously expensive to upgrade and maintain.

    4. They will likely run through the stadium as Champcar did the 1st couple years they raced there.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYn5UBiOhG4

      There is the chicane which Champcar ran in 2006/2007 & which A1Gp ran in 2008-
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty51w6ULG1c
      But I think the stadium is more likely because the extra seats would bring in a ton of extra revenue providing they could fill them.

      There’s a ton of work to be done to get that track upto F1 standards.
      There’s next to no run-off anywhere round the track which concrete walls not far from the track in fast sections with extremely high kurbing which will easily launch an f1 car if a mistake is made. Track is exceptionally bumpy in places & some of the grandstands will need some work, The grandstand across from the pits is too close to the track & you struggle to see the cars if they move offline to make a pass towards the grandstand side.

      1. The use of the baseball stadium (Foro Sol) seems quite likely. Like you’ve said, the extra seating would be of great benefit to the organisers as it’s likely that they’d fill it. The track as whole though does looks like it’s been left in the 90s. It definitely needs some work.

    5. In recent years for some races, they made a sort of detour/chicane out of the baseball field that exited I think halfway into the peraltada.

  17. I think its a positive move for Korea to the front of the season.

  18. If Korea is moved close to China to cut costs, the surely Russian needs to be after Monza?

    1. @fixy – Russia is also pretty close to Abu Dhabi. It’s filling the gap India made. Otherwise, Abu Dhabi would be all on its own. From a logistical standpoint, partnering Russia with Abu Dhabi makes more sense than partnering it with Italy.

      1. @prisoner-monkeys Makes sense, thanks for replying!

  19. Yes yes.yes! México México México!!!

    1. You sound like Sebastian Vettel after he wins a race

      1. Sorry for being happy that my country could probably get a race.

        1. @ausuma I’m very pleased to see Mexico back on the calendar (and not just because I went there a few years ago and I love Mexican food). Judging by how many people turned out just to see Perez do a street demo a couple of years ago the atmosphere at the track should be amazing.

  20. Can someone explain the Peraltada situation to me please?

    Why can it not be used or why is there some doubt as to why it cannot be used?

    1. Its very quick and runoff area is very small. Cant be made bigger because theres a public road (one of The city main avenues)

      1. the peraltada like the one that Mansell made his bitch doesn’t exists anymore, it the same radius and lenght but now it is almost flat. and yes, there’s practically no runoff and nowhere to build.
        i live in mexico btw.

    2. I can honestly see them ruining that turn.

      They’ll either:
      a) Tilke it and turn it in to a really tight hairpin
      b) Build a chicane before it/during it
      c) Use the baseball stadium shortcut and bypass half of it (as seen in Indycar)

  21. You are more likely to be killed in South Africa, that’s why we have Mexican Gp :)

  22. that’s great! austria and mexico are a brilliant addition to the calendar!

    but two things i would like to know:
    1. i thought the spanish grand prix would switch between barcelona and valencia every year. why is that not the case?
    2. it bothers me to see that the canadian grand prix is the only race hosted in north america in the month june. the switch from europe – america – europe sounds silly to me, why not move austin and mexico in june / july?

    1. 1. I believe Valencia has funding issues, so looks like that’s off the calendar for good.
      2. Like most places in Texas, Austin can have temperatures up to 40C during the summer. If you’re not already familiar with it, check out the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix to see what happens when F1 races in the Texan summer.
      But I do agree with your point, it does seem a waste of money to split the European season to travel to Canada. But I’m not sure what else they can do. They can’t put the other North American races in the summer because it’ll be far too hot. But they can’t put Montreal in with Austin and Mexico in the Autumn because it’ll be too cold. Maybe snowy.

      1. 1. well that’s a bummer, i liked valencia way better than barcelona
        2. abu dhabi has temperatures of 40°C aswell and they race there..

        1. Its a twilight race so temp much lower

      2. Ya, you do NOT want to have a race in a south texas summer climate.

  23. I’m afraid drivers might want to wear an extra pair of wool gloves if they intend to run a race in Russia in late October.

    1. Sochi’s on the coast of the Black Sea, so it won’t actually be that cold in October ;) In fact, it’d probably be quite mild.

    2. @xivizmath Well I’ve read Sochi has seen snow in Mid-October once opon a time…

  24. That calendar looks good. 21 races is a push but as fans we should look forward to the extra races. The only change I’d like as a personal preference is the Nurburgring instead of Hockenheim. I’m very much looking forward to the returns of Spielberg and Mexico City (if the latter is in a fit state to hold the race that is) and to see what Sochi can produce.

  25. Looks to me as if the Mexico race will lure a lot of business away from the Austin race. Would be a shame to see another US race fail due to poor planning.

    1. @kelsier I was thinking the same thing, but I believe the people from the Mexican North will still prefer to go to Austin rather than DF. And DF will be fine with its own fans :D

    2. I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I was told a few weeks ago by a Mexican F1 Fanatic reader that because Mexico City is in the south, a lot of northern Mexicans it would still find it easier to cross the Rio Grande and travel to Austin.

  26. Very glad to see Mexico back on the calendar, Austria too come to think of it. The Red Bull Ring may pale into insignificance compered to the old Österreichring, but it is a hell of a lot more exciting than any number of more modern layouts.

  27. That’s too bad about New Jersey, but I expected that. The situation would have been better off if the Grand Prix would have been somewhere in New York. Although New York has its own batch of difficulties, unless the governor throws his weight behind the race, it’s unlikely to happen. Chris Christie (the governor) isn’t going to back anything that would tarnish his chances at running for president. I’m sure F1 seems like the domain of the ‘liberal elite’ to Republican campaign makers. He’s already shot down using Federal money for extending New York City’s subway system into New Jersey to aid commuters.

    Although I’m unsure of whether a track could fit there, Flushing Meadows Park would make sense as a location. It’s the site of the former World’s Fair, The US Open is played over there, The NY Mets play baseball over there, and mass transit goes there.

  28. Ah well. I’m disappointed that New Jersey’s off the calendar, but on the other hand, there are still great races to be had in Austin and Montreal – and now, yet again, in Mexico City.

  29. just a fact i noticed, there are no spaces of more than 2 weeks in between the races (except the summer break with 4 weeks)
    that’s great, i hate the 3 week gaps they had this year, it’s such a long time to wait

  30. It’s interesting if this is going to be the calendar for next year. Getting rid of India and putting Korea at the beginning means that half of Vettel’s ‘Big 4’ from last year are no longer in the same part of the season, so it may stand to make the championship look closer next year…

    Glad the NJ race is starting to look like it’s not going to happen. I’ve never understood the principles behind it…

  31. Interlagos by the end of november is just stupid, huge chances of rain in the summer.

  32. Two thoughts: More money will or should be given to the teams with less resources if you really expect them to compete. Spending more money on travel and less on their cars will not work our for all. SECOND, all of the reasons that F1 quit in Mexico so long ago remains to be a problem. All one has to do is watch any of the baja races and it is absolutely scary with so many people so very close to the various racers………….. thanks, rnr

  33. They should go back Kyalami!

    1. the current kyalami circuit is terrible & has never put on a decent race in any category thats ever raced there.

      a1gp was able to put on a good race just about everywhere yet the races it held at kyalami were terrible, just no places to overtake & its too narrow to allow good racing.

  34. Going back to the possible Mexico Gp.

    Heard that the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit needs $15m in upgrades before it would be able to hold a Gp & this is why its only got a provisional entry for now.

  35. Bernie is not giving up hope on New Jersey just yet as he really wants to pencil it in for next year on a 22 race calendar. Read more here http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8909343/bernie-ecclestone-vague-over-2014-f1-calendar-but-not-ruling-out-new-jersey

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