Organisers of the Belgian GP at Spa are considering holding it only once every two years because of the congested calendar. they're actually considering it! the only reason they have to consider it because of all these ridiculous Tilke tracks being crammed into the calendar every year, but for Pete's sake, this is Spa!
I do wish some tracks were guaranteed a place every year, but I wouldn't mind others rotating. The likes of Silverstone, Monza, Spa, Brazil, Monaco, etc, should be definites every year, but I'd like to see some of the other tracks rotate. Nobody minds it with the German GP, so why not alternate the Spanish between Barcelona and Valencia, and maybe Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, if they didn't bring in so much money.
I think Monaco and Silverstone are still exciting and that the thought of rotating either of them is sacrilege, absolute sacrilege!
For me Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Interlagos and Suzuka should be on the F1 calendar year in year out no matter what and it should be the crappy tracks like Valencia that should make way. However this will never happen because as well all know money speaks and it practically screams and Bernie. That said Istanbul was knocked off the calendar and now Bernie is rethinking so all might not be lost, although F1 not going to Spa every year is almost unthinkable.
Whilst I fully agree Monaco doesn't always produce the best races, it's the challenge, and the prestige of the event, and the glory of winning there which means (in my mind) it should be kept. Silverstone is still a drivers circuit (a dying breed), and I think, much as Bernie disagrees, that F1 needs the British GP (ok, not necessarily at Silverstone). Almost all the teams are based in Britain, a lot of sponsorship money, and a lot of viewers, all come from Britain too, and the British GP keeps the sport in the media more, and increases the media profile than a race anywhere else does. Edit: Mifune is right, I missed Suzuka!
My favourite circuit is Melbourne,Australia. That should always stay so should : Spa Monaco Monza Silverstone Suzuka
These tracks should never be compromised in favour of some of the car parks that we are and will be going to in the future. This isnt about racing or the histroy of teh sport, this is about money! Spa are gov funded and can not continue to do so, which is why they are leaning to sharing every other year - they have also considered selling the track!
Spa, Silverstone, Suzuka and Interlagos are my favourites. Monaco should stay for obvious reasons, Monza has a lot of history but I wouldn't mind seeing it rotate with Imola. The two Spanish tracks should rotate, and I wouldn't mind seeing the Hungaroring and the A1 (Red Bull) Ring share races. I'd like a French GP to return but not at the expense of Spa. I don't see the point in Malaysia and China both holding a race (much less a week apart) when their tracks are near identical and not to far from each other geographically.
I personally think Silverstone is one of the most boring circuits in the UK, Brands and Donnington provide a far better spectacle.
Love Brands as you may have guessed Mr M. I know it often follows that one tends to have a soft spot for something which was the first as in the case of Brands being my first circuit but it had character back then which is still there today. I think of Brands like a 911. The shape remains largely unchanged. The Silverstone of today however is almost unrecognizable to what it was say 30 years ago. If Brands were to be brought up to modern standards, sadly it too would change.
These historic tracks should all be given immunity from been taken off the calendar, and in my opinion should be given cheaper hosting costs too, but if any of the old classic track were to be dropped it would be a big shame.
It's crazy- how can Belgium be shared when there are two Spanish GPs every year? Tilke has too much influence and in my opinion he should be banned from designing any more tracks after flops like Valencia and Abu Dhabi- he's too interested in making things look good than making a great F1 track. But, I suppose Spa every two years is better than no Spa at all...
Nooooo Spa is my favourite track, it has everything: hairpin, chicane, long straight, high speed corners, low speed corners. Great for overtaking as well!
Spa has Eau Rouge.concrete enough reason why it should stay. the other tracks that should stay are: Monaco Silverstone Monza Albert Park Interlagos Suzuka Montreal
We could argue about what races belong on the calendar, but I don't think we'd argue about Spa - it's a brilliant track and nothing should ever take it's place on the calendar. It's ludicrous to think that the addition of these terrible Tilke tracks will force Spa to alternate with another circuit while Spain still gets two races - one which is great for testing but terrible for racing, and the other is the worst current F1 street circuit. Both produce boring races, present little overtaking opportunities and wouldn't be missed by the majority of F1 fans.
sadly it's always all about the money, **** the spectactators, count the cash, that's bernies legacy. Bernie Ecclestone is an entertainment vampire.
