BlogF1

It is without doubt one of the true spectacles of the Formula One calendar; a real gem out of all the Tilke-tarnished circuits in the championship. However, Monaco is a rare track, a one in a million, if you will. And even then, the place has its problems. But seeing the appeal of bringing Formula One to people’s doorsteps, Ecclestone has been pushing for more street races, Valencia* and Singapore both being welcomed to the championship this past season. And now Paris and Rome want in on the action… Continue Reading

I think we are on provisional calendar number three at the moment, and while it is good for the sport to get such an important part of the Formula One World Championship correct, it is annoying me that I can’t book my summer holiday yet. And on a slightly more serious note, the Chinese Grand Prix has moved and there is still no return of Canada to the calendar, suggesting that there has been no further development between the Canadian officials and Bernie Ecclestone. Continue Reading

It was recently announced that Ron Dennis of McLaren will be rotating his grand prix staff as of next year due to the lack of a three week summer break. In previous seasons, 2008 inclusive, Formula One had been allowed a mid-season three week break, allowing those that travel with the teams a chance to take some time off and relax away from the pressures of work. However, the proposed 2009 calendar omits this break and the teams are concerned. Continue Reading

The FIA, after holding discussions in France on a variety of Formula One-related topics, have released a provisional calender for the 2009 Formula One World Championship. The calendar, which may change prior to next March, includes Magny Cours as the host of the French Grand Prix (and the FFSA confirmed this separately), but does not have the US Grand Prix listed. Abu Dhabi has been given the final grand prix of the year on the 19-race calendar. Continue Reading

Formula One is being pushed into new markets, attracting new fans and visiting ever more diverse and wonderful places. In the not-too-distant future, the circus will be setting up camp in Abu Dhabi, India, Korea, Singapore… all on newly constructed circuits (or street circuit in the case of Singapore) and further challenging the drivers and teams. But the addition of new tracks to the calendar, combined with the insistence of not extending the championship past 20 races, means that some of the current staples will be lost. Is losing these circuits good for Formula One, or is the sport losing its heritage by failing to visit some of the tracks that have made Formula One into what it is today? Continue Reading

The teams are set up in the Albert Park pitlane, the cars are ready and the anticipation has hit fever-point. With just one day to go before we see all the cars together in competition, the final preview post for 2008 is here: Circuits and Calendar. The 2008 season will see the Formula One circus travel to eighteen races located in seventeen countries and five continents. Approximately 28 tons of equipment (per team) is shipped a massive 100,000 miles to each venue. Here is where the teams and drivers will be travelling to this season… Continue Reading

Spanish World Champion Fernando Alonso has a lot to answer for. Not only has he won two successive titles at the wee age of 24 and 25, becoming the youngest to do so, but he has also pushed Formula One to the top of Spanish sports fan’s agenda. It seems Spaniards just can’t get enough of F1, and ticket sales at the traditionally boring Spanish Grand Prix event have sky-rocketed in the previous two years. The sales haven’t stopped this year either, despite Alonso’s move to McLaren. But Fernando’s fans have stood by him and the Circuit de Catalunya is once again sold out. Local fans line the circuit each time Fernando tests in Barcelona, and even the countries love of motorcycling appears to be less watched as F1 viewing has improved and taken hold. So what does this have to do with Valencia? Continue Reading

This post is a little late – my apologies for that – I chose to take a couple of days off from blogging before the season began and pre-published this article, but I messed up the dates and it didn’t go up when it was supposed to, my bad. But without any furthur ado, here is the Formula One 2007 calendar.

With the 2007 season just starting in Australia, a post dedicated to the circuits the teams will be flying around this year is in order. With seventeen races for 2007, the Formula One season is reduced by one Grand Prix over last year with the omission of San Marino along with the change in Japan and Germany and the re-inclusion of Spa Francorchamps. Continue Reading

Only a little over two months from the start of the 2006 Formula One season, I thought I would publish the proposed calendar and give my predictions for the upcoming year.

March 12th – Bahrain, Sakhir
March 19th – Malaysia, Sepang
April 2nd – Australia, Melbourne
April 23rd – San Marino, Imola
May 7th – Europe, Nurburgring
May 14th – Spain, Catalunya
May 28th – Monaco, Monte Carlo
June 11th – Great Britain, Silverstone
June 25th – Canada, Montreal
July 2nd – United States, Indiapolis
July 16th – France, Magny Cours
July 30th – Germany, Hockenheimring
August 6th – Hungary, Hungaroring
August 27th – Turkey, Istanbul
September 10th – Italy, Monza
CANCELLED: September 17th – Belgium, Spa Francorchamps
October 1st – China, Shanghai
October 8th – Japan, Suzuka
October 22nd – Brazil, Interlagos

And the team listing is:

Renault – Fernando Alonso, Giancarlo Fisichella
McLaren – Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya
Ferrari – Michael Schumacher, Felipe Massa
Toyota – Jarno Trulli, Ralf Schumacher
Williams – Mark Webber, Nico Rosberg
Honda Racing – Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello
Red Bull Racing – David Coulthard, Christian Klien
BMW Sauber – Nick Heifeld, Jacques Villeneuve
Midland F1 – Christijan Albers, Tiago Monteiro
Scuderia Torre Rosso – Vitantonio Liuzzi, Scott Speed
Super Aguri – Takuma Sato, Yuji Ide

With a pumped up Ferrari trying to reclaim their top spot, and McLaren hoping to continue their progress, it should be fun watching Renault defending their crown. And with Midland, Red Bull Jnr and BMW all new to the game, 2006 looks to be a belter of a season.

Prediction – Raikkonen to win the Drivers Title, Ferrari to win the Constructors Title. Renault will do well, but it won’t be enough to stop McLaren. Red Bull Snr will continue their progress, and Toyota should win a race. Midland will flop, and BMW will have a very difficult first season. They will almost certainly drop Villeneuve by the end of the year, and Montoya will lose in the race to remain at McLaren. Unless – that is – Kimi is being sized up for a red racing suit to replace Schumacher Snr?