F1 race news: France, Thailand and Australia

[Rob]

Thursday 27 September at 07:35 : Sep.27 (GMM) Despite the French government ruling out financial support, Paul Ricard could still be in the running to revive the country's defunct grand prix.

Le Parisien said the Le Castellet project had already anticipated the government's decision when it framed its EUR 30 million budget.

The report also said a private overseas investor, as well as F1's chief executive and Paul Ricard owner Bernie Ecclestone, could step in.

"We would have appreciated a few words of support and encouragement," Paul Ricard director Stephane Clair is quoted by L'Equipe, "and we are disappointed, but it (the government's decision) was completely expected."

Clair said an early September race date would make sense.

"After the summer break, the F1 teams would be ready to contest three grands prix consecutively -- Belgium, France and Italy," he said.

Ecclestone is tipped to present the draft 2013 calendar to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for approval on Friday.

"I can quite imagine a grand prix de France in 2013," Clair insisted.

RMC Sport said Paul Ricard officials are set to meet with Ecclestone in London this week.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reports that the Kingdom of Thailand has "struck an initial deal" to host a formula one street race in 2014.

The report said sports minister Kanokphand Chulakasem and an official representing Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya met with the F1 chief executive in Singapore last weekend.

"It will be a night race like the Singapore grand prix," said Chulakasem.

In other grand prix host news, the state major events minister Louise Asher has said the Victorian government is "not comfortable" with the current cost of Melbourne's Australian grand prix.

"My aim is to negotiate something that will cost the taxpayer less," she told the Herald Sun.

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/daily...Australia.html

Red Bull Co-owner? Great be a point and shoot track, loads of 2-4 gear corners to suit the RBR car. Thailand, really?

[Hornet]

Enough with the street races please.

It would be interesting to see how the French organizers could raise the huge sum of money without it coming from the government. Almost all other tracks relies on the goverment. And I hope they succeed of course. We need more proper track circuit. Street circuits are a waste of time.

[Rob]

Enough with the street races please.

It would be interesting to see how the French organizers could raise the huge sum of money without it coming from the government. Almost all other tracks relies on the goverment. And I hope they succeed of course. We need more proper track circuit. Street circuits are a waste of time.

No more street circuits please.

I would welcome Paul Ricard, but not at the cost of loosing Spa every other year. Get rid of, Korea and bring in Paul Ricard.

[Ken]

Enough with the street races please.

It would be interesting to see how the French organizers could raise the huge sum of money without it coming from the government. Almost all other tracks relies on the goverment. And I hope they succeed of course. We need more proper track circuit. Street circuits are a waste of time.

Totally Agree

[Rishu]

Teams wouldn't mind Thailand, they deseve some "entertainment" in this busy schedule

[eddie]

Thailand should be on. I posted this sometime back. Its just a matter of 2014 or 2015.

Mr. E & Co are working things out... Meanwhile, RB is very very BIG there. Also, PTT may have some part in it.

Korea may not stay for long. Track is too far away for many race fans.

Lets see, soon we shall know

[bonzo]

What happened to the Russian F1 track which was planned for 2014?

[Rob]

I know title does not say Greece, but couldnt see point start new 1, plus it says race news in title....

Greece unblocks 30 million euros to build Formula 1 circuit
By Pablo Elizalde Monday, October 1st 2012, 13:24 GMT

Greece has unblocked nearly 30 million euros for the construction of a circuit capable of hosting a Formula 1 grand prix.

According to the ministry of development, the circuit will be built in Xalandritsa, near Patras, Greece's third largest urban area in the hope the country can host a Formula 1 event in the future.

The total cost of the track will be 94.6 million euros, according to Bloomberg, with private company Racetrack Patras SA to oversee the project.

Greece's economy remains in deep recession, with figures showing it contracted by 6.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2012.

In August the coalition government agreed fresh spending cuts totalling more than 11billion euros in order to qualify for the next instalment of its 130billion loan from international creditors.

Greece, which hosts a round of the World Rally Championship, has never had a Formula 1 driver.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102997

[Rob]

Should Greece really be thinking about building new track and infrastructure, while in so much trouble.

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Should Greece really be thinking about building new track and infrastructure, while in so much trouble.

Honestly, no. To the point that it would morally wrong.

[PURE PASSION]

As I'm from Greece and near Patra,I would love to have a race here BUT on the other hand we have bad memories with big projects (Olympics).So right now I would say NO!!!

[Katu]

i have to say that i am not willing to help out country so they could have a race that's there for few years - Turkey for example..
i really do not see how f1 track should help greece

[Hornet]

Many government sponsor an F1 event as an investment to help their tourism industry. My country for example relies a lot on our tourism industry and we do get many western tourist, so being involve in Formula 1 helps promote the country to the world especially its European audience. Its not that our government are a huge fan of Formula 1, but its benefits to our tourism industry is so important that the country has been committed to F1 for more than a decade.

[eddie]

Many government sponsor an F1 event as an investment to help their tourism industry. My country for example relies a lot on our tourism industry and we do get many western tourist, so being involve in Formula 1 helps promote the country to the world especially its European audience. Its not that our government are a huge fan of Formula 1, but its benefits to our tourism industry is so important that the country has been committed to F1 for more than a decade.

Not really exactly but what do I know

We have Mrs. T so sepang will be on for a loooong while

[Hornet]

Not really exactly but what do I know

We have Mrs. T so sepang will be on for a loooong while

Not every country is the same of course, but for many, tourism is the major reason why millions are spend every year just to pay Bernie for the fee.

As for Greece, I don't know since I don't live there.

[eddie]

I agree, Greece should spend the much needed $ for something else...