The last two races on the Formula 1 calendar took place at two
of the most historic circuits around the world, the Belgian Grand
Prix at Spa Francochamps, and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Now
the calendar moves into some of the new territories, with the likes
of Singapore, Korea and Abu Dhabi still to come in 2011, as well as
the sport''s first visit to India.
In recent years there has been a shift in the locations that
have been used for the Formula 1 World Championship, with many of
the European races being dropped from the calendar. So does this
mean F1 is leaving its traditional European roots behind in favour
of further exposure in (mainly) Eastern markets? Or does Formula 1
have an obligation to remain with its traditional locations around
Europe? Without which, we would not have the sport we have
today?
Of course there is a case of Formula 1 having to move with the
times and to become a true World Championship to move beyond the
traditional European heartland, but this should not take away from
the heritage of Formula 1.
Some of the historic tracks from the early days of Formula 1
continue to be in use today, with the likes of Monte Carlo,
Silverstone and the aforementioned Spa and Monza. In recent years
we have seen rumours and speculation of some of these races under
threat (bar the Monaco Grand Prix), and the future of Spa in 2012
is still uncertain with rumours of the Belgian Grand Prix
alternating with the return of the French Grand Prix.
What about the new tracks that have come into the calendar? Do
any of these tracks count as worthy replacements for the likes of
Magny Cours or Imola?
The next race takes place on the streets of Singapore. This
track created history as it is the only night race on the Formula 1
calendar. Looking at the track layout, it only lends itself to a
few good overtaking spots, but does contain a lot of tight 90
degree turns. Some sections of track have quite wide run off areas,
so there could be a case of widening some sections and opening out
some corners to make the track flow. Due to the tight layout of the
track, we have seen incidents that caused the deployment of the
safety car which brought the field together and made some close
racing. Without that, could we have been left with processional
races and no overtaking?
Beyond Singapore, the other new tracks include the likes of
south Korea, which is a difficult track to judge just after one
race, but this seems to have a good open flowing layout, apart from
the typical sections of track we have come to expect from Herman
Tilke designed circuits, with the long straights leading into slow
corners.
That is a theme Herman Tilke likes to employ in his track
layouts. I for one do not believe that it is the right way to go
for Formula 1. Looking at the track layout in Malaysia, we have two
very long straights with slow corners at either ends, yes this does
help in overtaking, but it is the previous corner exit that
dictates the speed and acceleration down the straight for the cars
to close up. The same can be said for Shanghai, it is the turn
before the long back straight that dictates whether one car will
overtake another, with top speeds being relatively similar between
all cars.
Looking at the other recent additions to the Formula 1 calendar,
we also have Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. In the past, Bahrain has
provided some good race action, but the change in layout in 2010
added more low speed corners which changed the flow of the track
and did not provide any positive additions to the race. It is
interesting to note that if the Bahrain Grand Prix would have taken
place this year, it would have been on the previous track
layout.
Then we have Abu Dhabi, with the millions (if not billions) that
the Abu Dhabi government put into this facility, it seems that the
race track was an afterthought. Long straights preceding low speed
chicanes have caused a lack of on track action. It is to be noted
that the circuit announced they would look into changes to the
track layout for this year to be able to aid overtaking, but this
was not carried out due to the circuit owners believing KERS and
DRS will solve the problem and we are left with the existing
layout.
Another relatively new track that has been a part of the
calendar is the Valencia street circuit, under the European Grand
Prix banner. This is another street track in the Singapore mould,
with a lot of 90 degree corners and a couple of long straights.
This Grand Prix was added to the calendar on the back of Fernando
Alonso's success in the sport, to be able to hold two races in
Spain. It is worth pointing out that he is from the Asturias region
in the north of Spain, but the two races on Spanish soil take place
on the eastern coast, at Valencia and Barcelona.
Bearing in mind that these tracks in recent years have replaced
the likes of Imola, Magny Cours, The A1 Ring (now the Red Bull
ring) and we now only have one race on German soil, alternating
between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring.
All these tracks in the past have provided some memorable races
(without mentioning the tragedies that occurred as some of these
too). Michael Schumacher versus Fernando Alonso at Imola, the years
of McLaren v Ferrari at Magny Cours and who can forget the Ferrari
team orders controversy that took place at the A1 Ring in 2002.
Even Hockenheim has changed to the layout we have now, but I for
one would much prefer the high speed blast through the forest,
where Rubens Barrichello won his first Formula 1 race in the
Ferrari in 2000, starting from 18th on the grid.
It's clear that F1 does need to move with the times and make
circuits safer and to push the sport into a global audience, but it
cannot forget the fan base. It is difficult to understand why the
sport should travel to countries just because they have the money
to build top class facilities, but do not have the fans turning up
to watch races. Empty grandstands were all too visible at the
Turkish Grand Prix, and this race has been dropped from the 2012
calendar. One entire grandstand at the Chinese Grand Prix seems to
have always been empty, the one in front of the turn that leads
onto the long back straight, and seems to be covered with the text
'MADE IN CHINA'.
Just think of how much it would cost for someone in France, for
example, to see their nearest Grand Prix, this could end up putting
fans off the sport within the traditional European heartland, and
if the likes of China and Turkey are unable to get fans in, then
Formula 1 risks losing its appeal in the areas that it is trying to
venture to, especially as there are no drivers racing from some of
these areas.
We also see the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this year, but in
contrast to the likes of Turkey, China & Abu Dhabi, there is a
strong Indian presence in Formula 1, with the Force India team and
two drivers, Karun Chandhok and Narian Karthikeyan, who will both
most likely be racing at their home circuits for Team Lotus and HRT
respectively.
This will no doubt raise interest in India, seeing as the fans
have three options to aim their support. Only after this race will
we know if they track layout and the fan base is there to make the
Indian Grand Prix a success.
2012 also sees Formula 1′s return to the USA, at a purpose built
(Herman Tilke designed) track in Austin, Texas. Formula 1 has never
really been able to crack America, and its last attempt at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway did not go well. Only time will tell if
this latest attempt will fare better.
It is clear that the calendar is moving to areas that can build
state of the art expensive facilities and pay FOM the large hosting
fees required to hold a Grand Prix, but the traditions of the sport
should not be forgotten. The Monaco Grand Prix is a guaranteed race
on the calendar every year, the likes of Silverstone, Spa and Monza
should be added to that list, as it was those tracks in the early
days of the sport that made Formula 1 what it is today.
It is all well and good holding races all around the world, but
if the fan base is not there, even after a few years as in Turkey
and China, then Formula 1 should take a look at returning to the
likes of Magny Cours, or Imola, tracks where I can be sure that
those races would sell out.
This would require Formula 1 to think of the fans, and the
sporting side. But with a sport as big as F1 being commercially
driven, it is more than likely that we will see at least one of
these traditional historic tracks disappear from the calendar
within the next few years. Then the question becomes, where next in
the brave new world?