Formula One is set to race down the same 100m track as Usain Bolt, if reports are to be taken seriously.
After London has finished hosting the Olympics in a few weeks the question being asked is what to do with the white elephant that is left.
Taking a leaf from Sydney it seems motor sport is the answer. While V8 Supercars race around the former Olympic site in Homebush, ideas in London are far greater.
Bernie Ecclestone is interested, and why wouldn’t he be. A Formula One race around London would produce the sort of television not to be sneezed at. The problem is however it just won’t happen.
The British Grand Prix is tied up until 2024, the British Racing Drivers Club having invested heavily in redeveloping Silverstone in recent years and negotiating a new contract with Ecclestone’s Formula One Management.
Previous attempts to lure the race from Silverstone have failed, the most recent being Donington where the circuit underwent heavy earthworks which ultimately led nowhere. Those involved skulked off the scene quietly and the British Grand Prix was secured with the BRDC.
It’s possible Formula One could be hosted in Great Britain under a different title. Brands Hatch hosted the European Grand Prix in 1986 while in 1993 Donington host its first Grand Prix since the 1930’s under the same name.
With Valencia looking to get shot of its event, and suggestions Formula One is looking to expand its calendar to as many as 23 Grands Prix a year in coming seasons, there is space on the calendar.
The crucial missing piece is a willing promoter, and that is no easy gap to fill. The costs associated with hosting a Formula One race are steep, with Formula One Management taking a significant fee for hosting the race, along with trackside advertising and corporate hospitality.
It leaves precious few revenue streams for willing promoters and goes a long way to explaining why most races run at a loss, are government funded, and are forever moving to emerging (read ‘rich’) nations.
If a promoter couldn’t be found to move the British Grand Prix to an existing circuit, where associated running costs are lower than a temporary circuit, what hope is there in finding one willing to front up the cash for a second race in the country?
The London Olympic site is therefore unlikely to ever play host to a Grand Prix, at least a Formula One Grand Prix. Those involved will have to find another use for this white elephant come September.
Formule 1
Guest
Of course it didn't really happen, but it would be great if F1-races are included in the future.
Mat Coch
Roar Guru
The calendar that's released has to be ratified by the FIA World Motorsport Council. Usually that's a trivial process in which whatever Bernie decides will be rubber stamped. Korea is looking for a way out of its contract. The race is one of the most expensive of the year and the local interest is rather poor. Argentina does not currently have a circuit at the required level to host Formula One. The closest would be the Autodromo Juan y Oscar Galvez in Buenos Aries, which hosted F1 in the 1950's, 80's and 90's. It needs a significant amount of work to bring it up to the standard required. The Mar del Plata street circuit was mentioned in March but nothing has been heard from it since and the project can be safetly ignored, at least for the time being. Mexico is in a similar position. I've covered the Mexican GP back in May elsewhere (http://www.matcoch.com/?p=551). The French elections effectively ended its bid for a Grand Prix, the appetite the country had has diminished. The 23 race calendar can only come in to play once the new Concorde Agreement has been signed, which seems unlikely to happen until after the 2013 schedule needs to be produced. There is also some debate as to just what the new Concorde Agreement will allow - the number of events is among that debate.
William
Guest
Bernie is going to make a 23 Race Calendar as the Calendar will be released in July. Why would Korea go if its is contracted next year. Argentina, Mexico, France and New Jersey are on the Calendar as France is alternating with Spa-Francorchamps. Argentina is replacing Valencia. There will be probably be no European Grand Prix
Mat Coch
Roar Guru
Bahrain is supported by the Crown Prince on a circuit owned by the Crown Prince and is promoted by the Crown Prince.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
roman abrahamovic? he seems to like london. but on a serious not i'm a bit disappointed NJ won't be joining in 2013, if it is done the right way it could be one of the highlight races of the year. there also must be concern over the viability of the bahrain race.
Mat Coch
Roar Guru
If New Jersey joins. Bernie's said in the last 24hrs that it won't be ready for 2013 and there's still no word on where the money is coming. The calendar is expanding once the new Concorde Agreement is side. Currently it allows for 17 races with 3 extras. New agreement allows for 20 with 3 extras. Korea is expected to go, of course, as is Valencia (no great loss). Russia joins in the coming years but there's still potentially 4 slots on the calendar without losing any of the races we've got. Still, London won't happen. Nobody will be able to afford to promote it.
matthewthorpe
Roar Pro
would be fantastic for formula one, especially with the current dominance of british drivers. i assume it would be a street track, meaning plenty of possibilities for developing a high quality track. although with a new jersey race apparently joining in the next few years it could mean a loss of another city's race, and lets face it bernie eccleston has already mentioned australia as not the most viable race