OH NO ! F1 Fans - Spa to be Dropped from Schedule

Midnight Rambler

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Bernie is threatening to pull Spa from the 2003 race season, due to the same old BS about tobacco laws. The only historic road course on the schedule that hadn't been totally bastardized (Monaco is same, but a street course). Part of the life and soul of F1, every driver's favorite course, every fan's too.

This is just terrible news ...


:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(
 

GL

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I've heard this but don't worry too much. I've just gotten into F1 this year but from what I've heard, this same rumour comes up every year. On the other hand, if it's true, I'll be pissed. Spa and Suzuka are my favourite courses for obvious reasons (obvious to F1 fans I suppose).

On another note, I think construction on the Hockenheim alterations started this week. No more of the sweeping fast long straights:(
 

GreenGhost

Golden Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Probably he is just threatening to get something from sponsors/organizers, but there's a push to reduce the number of GPs in Europe to allow for more elsewhere, which in my opinion is a bad move. F1 is an European thing. Even in the US, most people don't know a thing about it. I don't see the need to 'expand.' The GP of San Marino or the GP of Europe give 2 races to Italy and Germany. I would cut Malaysia (I don't live there to go to a race). It may seems unfair, but the whole F1 is based on Italy, Germany, and the UK. Considering the F1 history, killing Spa would definitely be a shame. Some people complain of bad weather in Spa (an argument that helped finish Watkins Glen), but that's part of the game.
 

GL

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Ecclestone is interested only in expanding F1 around the globe. Malaysia will stay on the calendar because of the heavy sponorship (private and state).

The whole Spa thing is over cigarette sponsorship - which is interesting because there is no cigarette sponsorship in the US GP and British GP among others. The difference with the latter two is Britain is a huge market and the U.S. is even bigger.

The way I see it, the demise of CART may pave the way for two U.S. GPs. US West and US East. F1 will continue its expansion out of Europe - into Russia (I think this is confirmed now) and other parts of Asia.

Although Ecclestone has said he won't expand the calendar, I think this is a hardball tactic to scare current and future circuits into a pissing match over who can provide the most money. Ecclestone says there will only be 17 races which of course, leaves no new positions available. Therefore, the current races will have to shape up so to speak if they want to even contemplate staying on the calendar. Once Ecclestone realizes he can make more money by accomodating all the serious bids, I wouldn't be surprised to see the calendar expand to 19 or even 20 races.

Update
I'd love to see the Hungaroring go by the wayside - what a sh*tty race circuit. That isn't going to happen though because they have a lot of money behind them.