2013 Formula 1 calendar (Provisional)

[Greig]

2013 Formula 1 calendar (Provisional)
March 17 Australia (Melbourne)
March 24 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 14 China (Shanghai)
April 21 Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 12 Spain (Barcelona)
May 26 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 9 Canada (Montreal)
June 16 America (New Jersey) *
June 30 Britain (Silverstone)
July 21 Germany (Hockenheim)
July 28 Hungary (Hungaroring)
September 1 Belgium (Spa)
September 8 Italy (Monza)
September 22 Singapore (Marina Bay) *
October 6 Japan (Suzuka)
October 13 Korea (Yeongam) *
October 27 India (Buddh International Circuit)
November 3 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 17 United States (Austin)
November 24 Brazil (Interlagos)

* subject to confirmation

[Rishu]

Did they eliminate Valencia?

[fronaldo]

Did they eliminate Valencia?

no..they rotate between barcelona..same as hockenheim and nurburgring

[Rishu]

Don't think so, both being used in same calender year since Valencia's incepetion.

[Rob]

no..they rotate between barcelona..same as hockenheim and nurburgring

that is not official yet.

But only 7 European races

[Corey]

But only 7 European races

What's wrong? it's still almost half of the calendar. I won't mind seeing other continents have a go at it.

[Greig]

And almost 1/4 of the calendar, it is a European based sport

[Suzie]

Nice to see Brazil as the finale again.
Silverstone's a bit earlier than usual too.

[Ken]

They seem confident the Texas GP is on this year if they have already included it for next year

[Tobes]

no..they rotate between barcelona..same as hockenheim and nurburgring

That can't be right, we went to Hockenheim this year, hence should be Nurburgring next year except it's Hockenheim again...

[Tobes]

What's wrong? it's still almost half of the calendar. I won't mind seeing other continents have a go at it.

Which is fine except for the fact that some of the new circuits are hardly attended, China for example had very few people in the stands, (read somewhere that a ticket for China GP is a weeks wages to an average earning person) India wasn't much better, so what's the point..? Nurburgring and Hockenheim in the same year would be better attended than China and India put together, what is the point of going outside Europe if no-one attends the race..?
Try taking half the NASCAR races outside the USA, wouldn't make the fans very happy, taking so many races outside Europe doesn't make sense from a fans point of view, it's done purely for Bernie's financial gain...

[Rob]

Which is fine except for the fact that some of the new circuits are hardly attended, China for example had very few people in the stands, (read somewhere that a ticket for China GP is a weeks wages to an average earning person) India wasn't much better, so what's the point..? Nurburgring and Hockenheim in the same year would be better attended than China and India put together, what is the point of going outside Europe if no-one attends the race..?
Try taking half the NASCAR races outside the USA, wouldn't make the fans very happy, taking so many races outside Europe doesn't make sense from a fans point of view, it's done purely for Bernie's financial gain...

couldnt of said it better mate.

[Homan13PSU]

See you guys in New Jersey next year!

[NickEice]

Can't wait to attend NJ next year. It will be the first time at a live race!!! I am already counting the days down!! LOL

Couple points of disagreement I wanted to make regarding a few of the above posts:

-Europe is 35% of the calendar not 25%.
-I thought that Valencia and Barcelona had agreed on the rotation.
-I believe that the Nurburgring is going bankrupt and is giving its place up next year to see if they can save the race in the future and save some cash.

Lastly, a little rant:

NASCAR is not a global sport, it is an American Sport. Poor analogy. There are a lot of people in Asia that are F1 fans, and let's face it, the European economy sucks right now. Asia has way more money, way more people, way more TVs to tune in and a market that has a ton of growth potential. Any business man will tell you this. Bernie is doing anything he can to tap into new markets and grow his business, thus the races in the USA as well. Also let's face it, despite the crappy economy we have in the USA, we are still way better off than those in Greece, Spain, and Italy.

Belgium is poorly attended. The Spanish races have been poorly attended. Hockenheim was poorly attended.

http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/07/25/ge...nterest-in-f1/

I agree with you in some regards. The European circuits are wonderful. The best. Awesome races. But if Bernie doesn't go into new markets, and the funding goes down the drains, then the sport we love may not exist in the future in the capacity that we want it to.

It's not a fact of screwing over the Europeans, you all will watch no matter what, some of you even have to do it via Pay Per View. That is terrible, but you still buy. There are other countries with a passion for F1 and if this is truly a "World Championship" they should have the privilege to host races as well.

Come on, Europe still has 1/3 of the calendar. And you guys are so close together you could attend a few races annually if you so desired.

[NickEice]

Should Bernie put on 20 shows a year for no financial gain? That man, however rich he is, is rich because he is a savvy business man. That man is working 365 days a year, sure i'd love to have Bernie's job, but it's hard work. If he thinks going to India is better than hosting an 8th race in Europe, one potentially 100 miles away from where a race was just held in another country then I am sure he has looked at more numbers, more financials and has a better business sense than you and I.

[Greig]

I don't think anyone has said they feel screwed over or that upset about how many races are in Europe. Bernie has tried countless times to tap into the US market etc, it never works.

Hockenheim might have had less people than previous years but they still had way more over the weekend that most of these new markets I bet. Still does not change the fact F1 is a European based sport just as you declare Nascar as a US sport.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Which is fine except for the fact that some of the new circuits are hardly attended, China for example had very few people in the stands, (read somewhere that a ticket for China GP is a weeks wages to an average earning person) India wasn't much better, so what's the point..?...

... taking so many races outside Europe doesn't make sense from a fans point of view, it's done purely for Bernie's financial gain...

Apparently attendance isn't how Bernie gets paid, so he doesn't care. And most of the European track owners are wise to his ways, he has to look elsewhere for people to soak.

[Greig]

Apparently attendance isn't how Bernie gets paid, so he doesn't care. And most of the European track owners are wise to his ways, he has to look elsewhere for people to soak.

Yeah Bernie gets his money and the teams from the circuit, then it's up to the circuit to get the fans in to make money, or loss it as most seem to do. But to see these new tracks pretty much empty of fans in the grandstands should be worrying.

[NickEice]

What is it about F1 that it cannont capture the American audience? NASCAR is the biggest sport in America. But it seems they like their stock cars to go around in circles and not shift gears and have a more or less random outcome. Why can't it catch on in the US? I bewilders me at times.

I picked up F1 2012 the game for XBOX this past Tuesday. At about 8:30PM after work. I asked the guy if he had sold any, he said I was the first. Amazing. They even had it advertised in the store saying pre order your copy. A whole business day went by without anyone purchasing it.

[REDARMYSOJA]

But to see these new tracks pretty much empty of fans in the grandstands should be worrying.

It eventually caught up with him in Turkey, but until he can't find new venues willing to pay, I doubt he'll be too concerned.

What is it about F1 that it cannont capture the American audience? NASCAR is the biggest sport in America. But it seems they like their stock cars to go around in circles and not shift gears and have a more or less random outcome. Why can't it catch on in the US? I bewilders me at times.

Well, I'd say the biggest obstacle is the starting time of most races, plus very little if any American participation. An American team and American drivers would help, but they would need to be good, not the HRT, Scott Speed type.

But on the plus side, there are many fans here in the US. The Television ratings don't always reflect it because so many tape the races and watch them later. And the USGP's at Indy packed the house. Some of the biggest crowds for F1 races.

And NASCAR is certainly not the biggest sport in America. Everything here takes a back seat to the NFL, plus the other stick and ball sports.

Motorsport has always been a step-child of sports here in the US. Many have had a dim view of it, including the sports media. It's comical sometimes to here the stick and ball sport guys try to talk about racing. Many can hardly hide their disdain. Phil Hill said that went he first went to Europe to race, he was amazed at how driving a race car was seen as an honorable profession there, as opposed to the US, where it has long been viewed as the realm of grease monkeys and daredevils. That attitude has changed a lot in recent years, and despite what one may think of them, NASCAR is a big reason for it.

[Hornet]

Apart from what Bernie E wants, we have to consider what the teams and their sponsors want too. While I'm not sure if everyone wants every single venue outside of Europe, I'm pretty sure many companies including Ferrari do want to have a presence in countries like China where there's a huge market for their business. Same goes for North America and rich Middle East countries.

At the end of the day, Formula 1 runs on money. I don't know if Bernie's share is necessary, but for the teams and their sponsors they are important, there's a certain investment factor that goes into being in Formula 1 even if its not the prime factor. Without sponsors, there will be no Formula 1. And for many team, without the initiative of being able to promote their business, they wouldn't spend what they do to be in Formula 1 and Formula 1 need them too. You can't have Formula 1 with 3 teams only.

So business and money do play a big role in Formula 1.

[Paulpg87]

90% of the tracks suck

[Rishu]

The organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix has announced that it has signed a new contract to stay on the Formula One calendar until 2017.

There was some confusion over the future of the race earlier this year as Bernie Ecclestone claimed that a new five-year deal had been agreed but the Singapore Grand Prix organisers later released a statement saying the terms weren't viable and that negotiations were still ongoing. Now, following the release of the provisional 2013 calendar it has been confirmed that the contract has been extended.

[NickEice]

Well, I'd say the biggest obstacle is the starting time of most races, plus very little if any American participation. An American team and American drivers would help, but they would need to be good, not the HRT, Scott Speed type.

But on the plus side, there are many fans here in the US. The Television ratings don't always reflect it because so many tape the races and watch them later. And the USGP's at Indy packed the house. Some of the biggest crowds for F1 races.

And NASCAR is certainly not the biggest sport in America. Everything here takes a back seat to the NFL, plus the other stick and ball sports.

Motorsport has always been a step-child of sports here in the US. Many have had a dim view of it, including the sports media. It's comical sometimes to here the stick and ball sport guys try to talk about racing. Many can hardly hide their disdain. Phil Hill said that went he first went to Europe to race, he was amazed at how driving a race car was seen as an honorable profession there, as opposed to the US, where it has long been viewed as the realm of grease monkeys and daredevils. That attitude has changed a lot in recent years, and despite what one may think of them, NASCAR is a big reason for it.

Well thought out response. I agree with a lot of your points as well. You are true about the NFL, it is a beast, but NASCAR as a sport is probably more popular than folks give it credit for, especially down south.

[eddie]

With all Hotels being fully booked, retail stores packed to the brim and casinos going chink chink, no way the Spore Govt would have backed out

Its a win - win for Bernie and Co + The Spore Govt

[racingbradley]

I thought we would see the return of the French grand prix or are they going to alternate it with spa as reported earlier.
That would be such a shame. IMO both deserve to be there.
I thought with 3 French drivers (and maybe 4 if Jules gets a drive) Bernie would want a race there.

[Hornet]

I thought we would see the return of the French grand prix or are they going to alternate it with spa as reported earlier.
That would be such a shame. IMO both deserve to be there.
I thought with 3 French drivers (and maybe 4 if Jules gets a drive) Bernie would want a race there.

Valencia seems to be gone. Unfortunately French ins't included as a replacement

[Rob]

Ecclestone raises fresh doubts about GP in New Jersey
The organizers have violated some terms of the contract, making him de facto cease
September 25, 2012 15:39

New problems arise for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix on the track citizen of New Jersey , scheduled for next season. This morning, in fact, Bernie Ecclestone revealed that the contract with the organizers would become invalid because of the violation of certain terms. The curious thing is that all this came a few days after disclosure of the official draft of the season 2013, in which instead the event is regularly, scheduled for mid-June. " organizers failed to meet the terms and conditions of the contract, which now can be considered gone. Indeed, one can say that they have a contract , "said Mister E , which no doubt prompted much in the past to get the organization of this event, the Guardian . The problem is that in a few days there will be the FIA World Council and must be approved under this schedule, then the time to find a solution really starts to tighten up. " We are very close to the final deadline. Soon we will have an important meeting of the FIA World Council. If they find someone willing to support them, but I think you can still do the race in 2013, because they did a long way with the work on the circuit , "he added.

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/217...-in-new-jersey

[eddie]

Ecclestone raises fresh doubts about GP in New Jersey
The organizers have violated some terms of the contract, making him de facto cease
September 25, 2012 15:39

New problems arise for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix on the track citizen of New Jersey , scheduled for next season. This morning, in fact, Bernie Ecclestone revealed that the contract with the organizers would become invalid because of the violation of certain terms. The curious thing is that all this came a few days after disclosure of the official draft of the season 2013, in which instead the event is regularly, scheduled for mid-June. " organizers failed to meet the terms and conditions of the contract, which now can be considered gone. Indeed, one can say that they have a contract , "said Mister E , which no doubt prompted much in the past to get the organization of this event, the Guardian . The problem is that in a few days there will be the FIA World Council and must be approved under this schedule, then the time to find a solution really starts to tighten up. " We are very close to the final deadline. Soon we will have an important meeting of the FIA World Council. If they find someone willing to support them, but I think you can still do the race in 2013, because they did a long way with the work on the circuit , "he added.

http://www.omnicorse.it/magazine/217...-in-new-jersey

If this is indeed true, then good news for Ferrari. 1 race shorter means lesser points on the table up for grabs.

But sad day for US motor-racing fans...

[WS6TransAm01]

They seem confident the Texas GP is on this year if they have already included it for next year

They better be! I bought tickets, booked the hotel, flight and retail car. That race better go on.

See you guys in New Jersey next year!

See u there. That 30mile drive to the race will be brutal with NJ traffic.