Todt says one race to drop off 2012 calendar

[Rob]

Tuesday 7 June at 08:31 : Jun.7 (GMM)

Jean Todt says one race will definitely fall off the proposed 2012 calendar.

The governing body's World Motor Sport Council last week rubber-stamped a provisional schedule for 2012 featuring an unprecedented 21 race dates.

Among the scheduled events are season opener Bahrain and the inaugural US grand prix in Texas, but the only race marked 'subject to confirmation' was Turkey in early May.

It emerged recently that the Istanbul race will not take place next year because officials did not agree to a dramatically increased sanctioning fee demanded by Bernie Ecclestone.

Asked by Spanish newspaper Diario Sport if a record 21 grands prix will be held next season, FIA president Todt answered: "Absolutely not.

"There are 21 dates, but the championship will be 20 grands prix."

Asked if Turkey's conditional date means Istanbul Park is the one that will be dropped, the Frenchman said: "I don't know which one will go, but the championship will be 20 races."


www.onestopstrategy.com

if this is right, please dont let it be a traditional track , Spa etc. If it isnt Turkey please be Valencia.

[DINO 246]

Again, another problem with Bernie's exotic track building. Yeah, we want to see F1 as a global sport, but why at the expense of loyal fans. If a track has to be eliminated, let it be the one with the smallest fan base. IMO no F1 fan should be denied the pleasure of seeing a race in their own country, but this seems the only fair way to do it. It's not that difficult to determine fan base size. You have prior track attendance and viewership statistics to determine this.

[Hornet]

Whats the reason? 21 races is 1 too many?

And please not let it be yet another brilliant cost cutting measure.

[Katu]

Whats the reason? 21 races is 1 too many?

And please not let it be yet another brilliant cost cutting measure.

it may not be too much for you, but people working in teams are human too who needs a little vacation and family time. 20 is a lot, 21 even more.

[Corey]

Let's see, I think it's going to be the track that brings to least money for Bernie.

[DINO 246]

Let's see, I think it's going to be the track that brings to least money for Bernie.

Unfortunately you are probably right.

[FerrariF60]

Let's see, I think it's going to be the track that brings to least money for Bernie.

ditch turkey, it's gotta be the least one that brings the least money
but if it were up to me, i'd ditch hungary....that track is WAY too overdated

[RedRebel40]

I hope its not the Turkish GP

[Greig]

Again, another problem with Bernie's exotic track building. Yeah, we want to see F1 as a global sport, but why at the expense of loyal fans. If a track has to be eliminated, let it be the one with the smallest fan base. IMO no F1 fan should be denied the pleasure of seeing a race in their own country, but this seems the only fair way to do it. It's not that difficult to determine fan base size. You have prior track attendance and viewership statistics to determine this.

Bernie does not force them, and you know the teams are quite keen to take their brands and marketing into many different markets, all races in Europe is not something the teams want either. It's not all about Bernie the teams are pulling strings as well

[FFFerrari]

Likely candidates are Turkey and Spa, I hope to god it's not Spa as I love that track. Hungary and Valencia are boring as hell too, but they draw big crowds compared to Turkey and Belgium.

[DINO 246]

Bernie does not force them, and you know the teams are quite keen to take their brands and marketing into many different markets, all races in Europe is not something the teams want either. It's not all about Bernie the teams are pulling strings as well

I can fully understand the teams,and their sponsors seeking new markets. I don't believe F1 should be only Eurocentric either. I just object to this business plan that is at the expense of the largest fan base. Spain has two races and it doesn't seem to be a financial problem. The US could easily support one in the East and West. IMO the UK could support another race. Let me ask you a question that you could answer better then I could. Would a track in Scotland be economically feasible? If yes, wouldn't F1 be satisfying more fans then a race in Turkey?

[ferrari4life]

hopefully they drop the "monaco street car procession"

[DINO 246]

hopefully they drop the "monaco street car procession"

Just too historic to ever happen. The international prestige in most people's minds cannot be duplicated anywhere else.

[F1NAC]

I pray for Abu dhabi . Just boring circuit

[hogo]

I pray for Abu dhabi . Just boring circuit

They have updated it, I think.

Anyway 20 is a good number. More ain't really necessary.

[Tifoso]

if this is right, please dont let it be a traditional track , Spa etc. If it isnt Turkey please be Valencia.

[beanie88]

I received an email from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation yesterday that said the calendar has been confirmed as such:

11/03/2012 - Bahrain
18/03/2012 - Australia
01/04/2012 - Malaysia
08/04/2012 - China
22/04/2012 - Korea
06/05/2012 - Turkey *
20/05/2012 - Spain
27/05/2012 - Monaco
10/06/2012 - Canada
17/06/2012 - United States
01/07/2012 - Valencia, Spain
15/07/2012 - Great Britain
29/07/2012 - Germany
05/08/2012 - Hungary
02/09/2012 - Belgium
09/09/2012 - Italy
30/09/2012 - Singapore
14/10/2012 - Japan
28/10/2012 - India
11/11/2012 - Abu Dhabi
25/11/2012 - Brazil
* Subject to confirmation

[sv_godspeed]

i just hope its not Spa - i jsut went there last year (my first live F1 experience!). i even dont like the rumour of alternating Spa and a French GP (even though i live in France because Magny-Cours is no match for Spa)

[WS6TransAm01]

June 17th in Austin... Brilliant!

They better not drop Spa... I may have a fit.

Time to book the flight and hotel in Austin!