Construction has begun on the new ~$360m circuit, located in the Greater Noida area, approximately 40km from India’s capital city, New Delhi. Currently named the Jaypee Group Circuit, the track will reside in a larger complex of other leisure amenities, notably a golf course, cricket stadium and sports academy (much like the Yas Island project in Abu Dhabi).

When Ecclestone was asked about a possible return to Indianapolis for the United States Grand Prix, Bernie seemed positive about wanting to make it happen, and said the famous speedway was the best venue to hold the event.

It’s only the fact that it’s all the wrong crowd and the wrong people and they didn’t really… nothing worked there really, we’d have to have a big change round. But we’d like to get back there. Bernie Ecclestone.

Formula One will return to North America this year when the teams arrive in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. However, with such a large automobile market, the USA is an important area that the sport has neglected in recent times.

More information on the Jaypee Group Circuit can be found at BlogF1’s sister site, AerialF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Bernie Ecclestone Suggests 20-Race Calendar For 2011

• Water
  Bottled water or hydrating drink are top of the list for a reason – they cost a packet once inside. Not all venues allow such items to be taken in (often outside music gigs), but I’m yet to get stopped at a circuit for taking a bottle of mineral water in with me. The benefits of having water are obvious, particularly if the sun decides to come out and play.
• Shoes
  Strong, comfortable shoes are another essential. People often don’t realise just how much walking they have to do once at a circuit. The car park is usually a hike all to itself, and once inside there is likely to be a long trek to wherever you need to be.
• Waterproofs
  Be sure to pack a lightweight waterproof. The worst thing about being outside is when it starts to rain. Great for racing, less so for health and happiness.
• Sun Protection
  This includes sunglasses, hat and lotion. It’s no good being at a race but unable to see anything because of the sun’s glare, and I think lotion is pretty much common sense these days. What is it the Australians say? Slip, slop and slap!
• Communication
  The mobile phone has become an essential in this day and age, and just about everybody owns one. If your in a group at a large crowded place, means of communication is a no-brainer, and mobile phones these days often come with built-in cameras and radios. Tune it into Radio 5Live if you don’t have the next thing on the list. Also, some mobiles have internet access so you can keep up to date with breaking news while at the track.
• Kangaroo TV
  Okay, strictly speaking you need to get these at the circuit, but according to Sidepodcast, they are simply awesome. Go listen to their podcast which details their experiences of the device at Silverstone last year. And I’ve just found you may be able to reserve one online. Check out their website for more details.
• Camera
  It’s low down on the list because these photographs are available on the internet. But sometimes there’s nothing better than taking a shot yourself, even if you aren’t as good as Darren Heath. A word of warning though; be sure to know how to use a camera before taking it to a race. Practice taking photos fast moving objects, like cars on the road (bear in mind your safety) and get used to how your camera behaves at taking these pictures. Also, depending on where you are sitting, a zoom function or lens might prove useful.
• Programme
  A grand prix is never just a grand prix. There’ll be support races, stands, stalls and just about anything else you can think of. The programme will tell you when certain events are running and they almost always include a map of the circuit detailing where everything is. Also, when the action gets boring you can amuse yourself by reading a silly team and driver biographies they have in them. For extra amusement, head over to a Red Bull stand early to knab yourself a copy of the Red Bulletin.
• Watch
  It may sound silly, but you don’t want to be queuing up for a burger just as the formation lap begins. Obviously used in conjunction with the programme.
• Tickets
  Because there’s nothing more annoying than driving halfway across the country before realising you’ve left your entry passes on top of the TV.

For an interesting read and insight into travelling to and from a circuit, read F1Fanatic’s post on his visit to Istanbul Park in 2006. Oh, and I’ve probably missed something from the list, so feel free to add your pearls of wisdom in the comments below.

Original article by BlogF1.

Ten Things You Need For Going To A Grand Prix

In recent years Formula One has lost Imola, Indianapolis and Suzuka from the calendar. Initially, Imola was struck off the list because Ecclestone wanted to add pressure to the circuit owners to complete renovation works to the paddock and pit lane area, bringing the track up to the standards now set out by new facilities like Shanghai and Turkey. The Suzuka circuit in Japan has been able to negotiate a return, but the Honda-owned figure-of-eight will have to share the spoils with Toyota-owned Fuji, a track that is yet to really show its pedigree as a great racing circuit.

France’s Magny Cours is another that will be dropped from the calendar after their 2008 race, meaning the nation that arguably started motor racing at the turn of the 20th century will be without a grand prix. The only other year where France were not on the championship run was in 1955. Finances and remote location have been blamed for the demise of the race, but of course losing its spot means Bernie’s life is made a little easier when he comes to decide on the 2009 calendar.

Silverstone is another European circuit that regularly comes under fire from Ecclestone, the Briton complaining of inadequate facilities at the track. It is interesting though, that along with France, Britain would be under pressure, the country also being heavily rooted in motor sport’s history. In fact, the Silverstone track hosted the very first round of the organised Formula One Championship back in 1950, such is the heritage of the former Northamptonshire airbase. Circuit owners, the BRDC, announced modification plans recently, but Bernie is a tough character to please. The popularity of the event appears high though, as tickets for this years event are rapidly running out, and the circuit has had to add another grandstand to cope with demand.

It is clear that if Bernie is indeed pushing for further afield circuits to be included, then some others will have to fall by the wayside. But it seems that his way of choosing the venues to face the axe is a little harsh. I personally don’t mind the Magny Cours circuit; it has a good mix of high and low speed corners and the track undulates a far bit. Silverstone is another track that isn’t entirely bad in its design, although perhaps a little duller in terms of undulations the Copse corner and Becketts complex are simply awe-inspiring to view.

From a fan’s point of view, and that is all that I am, it appears as though Ecclestone is not listening. To drop Suzuka from the calendar was simply unforgivable in my mind. To allow Belgium to suspend their event at the incredible Spa Francorchamps circuit was just plain crazy. To lose Imola was sad, to lose Silverstone would be even sadder.

As I write this, I don’t know how the new Valencia street circuit will pan out, but currently it appears to be a decent layout and should provide an interesting venue for a grand prix. But would it have been a little fairer to replace Circuit de Catalunya with Valencia? For sure, Formula One has a double world champion from the same country currently, so TV revenue should be capitalised, but it strikes me as strange that the powers-that-be have decided on losing some tracks that evoke emotion over those that just aren’t really all that exciting.

It could be that I’m being too critical of the way the calendar is going. Of course, Formula One will eventually enter new markets, and some of these are important and necessary for the future of the sport. India deserves a race; they have been working tirelessly for many years to get one. Providing they come up with a decent layout, the grand prix will almost certainly be a belter. But when I hear of Korea, Poland, Lebanon wanting to join the party, I cannot help but ask myself if this will be at the expense of some of the sport’s traditional venues. Venues that have shaped the sport, hold great memories and are still awesome spectacles of speed and courage. New circuits are excellent, but not at the expense of the greats.

I guess, at the end of the of the day, Formula One is apparently limited to 20 races each season. And I also guess that as fans, we would like to see as many races in as many countries on as many different tracks as possible. I’ll finish up with a run down of how I think the 2009 calendar should look. Feel free to add your own views on this and the post in the comments below.

My Proposed 2009 Formula One Calendar

*This circuit should rotate around various countries and become a what it was intended to be. Maybe even extend it beyond Europe, although that may make transportation a little tricky.
**I honestly hated the Indianapolis infield layout, so I’m not too keen on a return to the track. But F1 should be in America, so maybe Laguna Seca or something similar; Laguna Seca is a little on the short side though.

Original article by BlogF1.

Are The European Grands Prix Expendable?

For a further breakdown of the circuits with additional information, please visit the calendar page.

The 2008 championship sees two new circuits added; Valencia and Singapore. Both are street circuits, much like Monaco, and the SIngapore event is to be the first night race in the history of Formula One. The FIA have done some testing, using the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in America last year to run a safety car around under their lighting system. It will be very interesting to see how the race goes, and more importantly from Bernie Ecclestone’s point of view, how many people watch it in Europe.

The season extends in to November this year, something I cannot remember happening in my memory of the sport. But the added breaks during the year will provide a welcome pause to the action, and of course helps to reduce the drag of the off-season. It is also good to see that the ridiculous break that happened after the third race in 2007 has been sorted, so the season-start should have a better rhythm as the circus returns to Europe.

Original article by BlogF1.

F12008: Circuits & Calendar

Click to view the circuit in Google Maps.

Original article by BlogF1.

Jacarepagua’s Future In Doubt

Pitpass have reported that the French Grand Prix may have been dropped from the 2008 Formula One calendar, following reports made in L’Equipe. Apparently, the FIA have stated that the event cannot take place in current conditions and logistical problems are preventing Mangy Cours from hosting the race. It was recently mooted that Britain and France could share a slot on the racing calendar, which is something Magny Cours seemed keen on. However, BRDC President (the organisation that still owns Silverstone) Damon Hill said that this solution would be a last resort.

As Singapore is expected to announce an agreement to host a round of the Formula One championship as early as 2008, it seems Bernie Ecclestone is slowly moving F1 away from Europe and into new and growing countries. While this may prove effective at lining the deep pockets of the sport’s controlling people, the lack of traditional circuits like Imola, Silverstone, Suzuka and even Spa may be the straw – for many older fans – that breaks the camel’s back.

It is good that Formula One travels to further afield places and is introduced to as wider audience as possible. But I feel this should not come at the price of losing some of the sports great circuits that have thrilled drivers and fans alike for so many years. Personally, I’m still a little bitter that Suzuka is missing from this years calendar, and although the re-introduction of Spa Francorchamp in welcomed, I would not want to lose these great tracks that make the sport what it is. Formula One is hi-tech, forever moving forward and pushing boundaries in terms of technology and driver fitness. But it is also rich in heritage and tradition, and these values should not be lost. Leaving the great tracks behind may just cause that.

Do you think Formula One should move away from it’s historical home of Europe, or should the travelling circus be encouraged to race at these new and glamorous locations?

Of course, if I had my way, I would have my cake and eat it. There would be a race every other weekend for 50 weeks of the year. They would race on every continent (bar Antarctica, maybe) and the old would be mixed in with the new. Have your say in the comments below…

Original article by BlogF1.

No French Grand Prix In 2008?

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.

The calendar was announced unusually early last year, and while much speculation was circulated at the time, the answer appeared to come down to Bernie Ecclestone putting pressure on the San Marino Grand Prix organisers to complete much needed improvement works on time – the provisional calendar was published without Imola being listed.

However, the tactic didn’t work and while the works at Imola have begun, they would not be completed in time for its normal late April slot – the San Marino Grand Prix was written off for 2007.

It also became apparent that Hockenheim and Nurburgring were facing financial difficulties in hosting two races between them – the German Grand Prix and the European Grand Prix respectively – and the two major circuits decided to share the German event, alternating each year. 2007 will see the cars line up on the Nurburgring grid, while Hockenheim will take over the reigns for 2008.

Japan also faced pressure from Bernie Ecclestone regarding pit and paddock facilities, and the famous Suzuka circuit has been replaced with the lesser known Fuji. Much to the upset of Formula One fans the world over, Honda owned Suzuka will not make a return to F1 racing until 2008 at the earliest, possible billed as an Asian or Pacific Grand Prix. Toyota owned Fuji has had major redevelopment work done to it recently, and while F1’s rich and famous will surely be dined to impressively high standards, I fear the racing will not be as spectacular. However, along with everyone else, I will have to wait before making a firm judgement on that one.

So round one will see the 2007 season return to its now traditional Grand Prix opener – Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. The street circuit has been in use since 1996 when it took over the reigns from the Adelaide Parklands course, which saw Damon Hill win two Australian Grands Prix back-to-back, albeit in two different seasons (Adelaide then traditionally held the season close before Albert Park became the season opener).

The circuit has received high praise from drivers and fans alike, and although it doesn’t have the technical supremacy of Suzuka, or the guts-and-balls of Spa, the organisation of the event is of an impeccably high standard – Australians know how to put on a race, that is for certain. Running around the perimeter of the Albert Park lake, the circuit has seen a lot of drama in the last decade, notably Martin Brundle’s somersaulting Jordan at turn two in the event’s inaugural race in ’96. Jacques Villeneuve has also had a close-up view of the circuits barriers in his BAR, and Australia’s Mark Webber famously took two points for the fledgling Minardi team in his first race in 2005, bringing tears to then Minardi boss (and fellow Aussie) Paul Stoddart.

After Australia, Formula One immediately relocates to Sepang in Malaysia, and then on to Bahrain, a circuit that featured during the winter as a change in testing venues. Then Formula One takes close to a month off before heading back to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 13th.

BlogF1 will take a closer look at each circuit as the race approaches. Listed below is a complete listing of the 2007 Formula One calendar.

Australia – Albert Park – March 18th
Malaysia – Sepang – April 8th
Bahrain – Sakhir – April 15th
Spain – Catalunya – May 13th
Monaco – Monte Carlo – May 27th
Canada – Montreal – June 10th
United States – Indianapolis – June 17th
France – Magny Cours – July 1st
United Kingdom – Silverstone – July 8th
Germany – Nurburgring – July 22nd
Hungary – Hungaroring – August 5th
Turkey – Istanbul – August 26th
Italy – Monza – September 9th
Belgium – Spa Francorchamps – September 16th
China – Shanghai – September 30th
Japan – Fuji – October 7th
Brazil – Interlagos – October 21st

Formula One, F1, Circuits, Calendar

Original article by BlogF1.

F1 2007: Circuits & Calendar

The lack of circuits was easily worked out, given that Germany are intending to alternate their one race between both of their major facilities – Hockenheim and Nurburgring. The details were quickly finalised and all questions surrounding this were settled. Nurburgring will host the 2007 meeting, and Hockenheim will take over for 2008. The race will switch between both circuits thereafter.

The four week gap had been explained (unofficially) as a potential reprise for Suzuka. The circuit had been rather unceremoniusly slashed from the calendar in preference to Fuji. This has caused a lot of upset among Formula One fans and drivers. However, it has happened and many folk (myself included) were pining for a Pacific or Asian Grand Prix to be slotted in this gap, allowing Suzuka to continue to work her magic on F1. This dream has now faded – for 2007 at least – as the World Motor Sport Council confirmed last Wednesday.

And so this fact brings us to Imola – traditionally billed as the San Marino Grand Prix. Considered to be Italy’s second race, and Ferrari’s home race as the circuit is situated closer to Maranello than Monza is – the fans favourite. The Grand Prix was left off the calendar and general concensus was Bernie Ecclestone trying place pressure on the circuit owners make necessary upgrades before the season starts next March. Although work has apparently begun at the famous race track, it has been decided that not enough has been done and the race will not take place in 2007. The World Motor Sport Council said in a statement, “No agreement was in place for an 18th race and there will continue to be 17 races in the 2007 calendar.”

I feel this is a shame, and although there are many fantastic new circuits like Sakhir and Shanghai now hosting events, I believe that Formula One needs to retain its deep roots in circuits like Silverstone, Monaco and to a slightly lesser extent, Imola. To lose Suzuka was pain enough, but to lose Imola as well is quite a blow.

I don’t suppose anyone has any ideas as to what we are all supposed to do between April 15th and May 11th 2007?

Click here to read the official press release from the meeting last Wednesday. Other details regarding the changes to the rules will be discussed after the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Original article by BlogF1.

No Imola For 2007