Currently reading: Bernie willing to axe F1 venues
More traditional European venues could be axed by F1's boss for exotic new locations

Bernie Ecclestone is prepared to axe some of Formula One’s traditional European venues in favour of races in New York and Moscow.

Ecclestone aims to have an annual race on the streets of Manhattan from 2013; three locations have already been identified to stage the race. Ecclestone told Bloomberg that a race in Russia would enter the calendar a year earlier in 2012.

Moscow is currently tipped to stage the Russian grand prix, although Sochi, the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, is also being considered.

In order to accommodate these races, Ecclestone will take races away from some European venues, such as Spain, without “too much problem”.

“We’re going to lose some races for sure, there are some races we can afford to lose without too much problem,” Ecclestone said. “I’ve spoken to the countries to see what we can come up with.”

Spain currently holds two grand prix: the Spanish grand prix at Barcelona and the European grand prix in Valencia. One of these venues is almost certain to make way for one of the new races.

F1 will visit 19 circuits in 2010 and will make its first trip to South Korea later this year. India is also expected to host its first race in 2011, which would bring the total number of races to 20. Ecclestone has previously said the sport can accommodate 20 races, although he’d be reluctant to go higher than this.

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VirginPower 10 April 2010

Re: Bernie willing to axe F1 venues

underdog wrote:
The only way to save the sport is to remove Bernie from it entirely and that will mean the teams combining their strengths and starting a new formula.

This has been a hope since the persistent strangulation of the sport's technology began. Last year it almost happened, and far more important than removing Bernie would be reinstating the proper values of Formula One. The sad thing will be that it won't be called Formula One, but that's ultimately a price worth paying.

The big four teams plus Williams and possibly Renault will all be onboard. I hope it doesn't come to that, but it's nice to think about the sport in a state where teams are free to investigate cutting-edge and exotic technology.

The idea of following a principle of removing all regulation, or as much regulation as possible, is refreshing and very exciting. I dare say it would require an engine size restriction, but that could easily be the sum of it.

What is to stop a formula being created where the only mechanical stipulations are, let's say, use of no more than a 1.5-litre forced induction engine or a 3.5-litre NA engine. It's then arguable whether TC or ABS would be banned, but no more meddling than that would be needed.

Wheel configuration and size, aero, ground effect, suspension, KERS, et cetera, could all be allowed in whatever form.

The only thing that could prevent it would be money, and there is enough of that to realise what I've described.

underdog 10 April 2010

Re: Bernie willing to axe F1 venues

This is all about an old man chasing money at the expense of what was once a sport. FOTA several years ago should have ditched Bernie and F1 and started their own series. That Ferrari and the FIA persuaded them otherwise is to the detriment of both the sport and the future of motorsport.

The only way to save the sport is to remove Bernie from it entirely and that will mean the teams combining their strengths and starting a new formula. Ferrari won't join straight away, but it wouldn't be long before they did.

ordinary bloke 10 April 2010

Re: Bernie willing to axe F1 venues

Autocar wrote:
Bernie Ecclestone is prepared to axe some of Formula One’s traditional European venues in favour of races in New York and Moscow.
There is something inherantly wrong about one single man controlling F1 and using it as a vehicle for producing more money for himself. The sport's venues should be controlled by a combination of the governing body and the constructors. Get rid of Brnie, I'd say, as he only appers to be interested in making money for himself and not promoting the actual sport.