So I was wondering where you guys think the 10th Grand Prix of the 2013 season will be held? I think Turkey or Austria are the most likely! However Portugal has now been considered too... I wrote a short article about this on my blog: http://bensulleyf1.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/f1-circus-to-party-in-portugal/ or at http://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1-circus-to-party-in-portugal who I also write for
Hi there Ben, welcome to the forum. I think it will be Austria, as there have been a few issues about funding flowing around recently for the Turkish Grandprix, I have heard nothing about Portugal but it would be nice to see Estoril back.
Most recent news we have is this, so any Portuguese GP would be in Algarve. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105268 Personally i think that just Bernie trying to pressure the French. I think we're looking at 19 races.
yeah with the Turkish Gov. not giving any funding.. Personally I don't think having 19 races is that bad, but I'd rather have a 13 race and kick all the Asian (korean, singapore, indian etc) out... they just make the season drag!
I'm afraid to say that I think we will only see 19 races this season. It's just a gut feeling based on feedback from the teams, who would be very grateful for the break. However, I acknowledge that Bernie is still running the show, so it's really up to him and his entourage. If he can persuade another venue to fill the vacancy without dropping his hefty price-tag, he'll probably get his way …as usual; – which would be better for the fans and particularly those who prefer the BBC coverage (because if it's an odd number of races, guess what? –Yep, BBC lose out). I hope I'm wrong about n n n n nineteen.
My main fear is that if we don't get another European race this year then it could be a while before Bernie offers up the opportunity again... and as you say, it looks less and less likely that we will get another European race this year.
Bernie will offer the race to anyone who'll cough up the dough, even if it was around a Tesco car park.
Don't know if this means 18 GP's this season? Valmar Viisel ‏@paddocknews Bernie Ecclestone has called off negotiations with the Nurburgring, according to Germany's Der Spiegel That or it's pretty much Hockenheim now...
Serious danger of Rd 8 Britain - 30th June Rd 9 Hungary - 28th July Rd 10 Belgium - 25th August. That would be hell.
I think there is a real chance that the game titled *Bernie bluffs (the) blind*, which he has consistently won and is still playing, may be reaching a natural 'high tide'. If more and more venues decide 'enough is enough', Formula 1's ownership may eventually be persuaded into being a little more … ahem… flexible. This is the reason I said some time ago that I hoped Melbourne would tell Bernie to shove it – for it may have precipitated a few others realising that they actually do have a bit of power to resist Bernie's tsunami, rather than bleating and begging for benevolence. In the short term, fewer races may not seem good for fans who want to see more action; however, in the longer-term they may be thankful to see some ebb in Bernie's hitherto one-way flow (of cash). If the tide does turn, Bernie may find himself chasing a diminishing return with venues turning the tables and telling him what they are prepared to pay! Of course, it would also be disastrous for the sport if too much power goes to the venues; so what we need is a reasonable balance between owners and organisers: something which we have seen little evidence of in the recent past… - - -o0o- - - *Bernie's advantage in his game has always been his knowledge that each venue is concerned about its own pocket, rather than them all getting together across international borders in order to establish some reasonable, balancing resistance. He knows that such global co-operation is extremely unlikely because most countries with an interest in F1 are also subject to disparate governance, each with unique political ground and agendas, which ensures long-term co-operation between them is made difficult: i.e. they are primarily concerned with maintaining their own power base and care little for what happens after they've gone. But it is ironic that without such co-operation, venues which only consider themselves are actively fuelling their own extortion! To sum up: whilst venues are only concerned about their own interests, Bernie can and will continue to play them off against one-another. But if Bernie sees his house of cards seriously threatened by a freshening wind, he will have no choice but to protect and support its infrastructure, rather than simply milk it.
Indeed, I think the tracks are starting to get bolder against Bernie now, considering the howlers Tilke keeps designing. So far for me only China and Austin are decent and even then Tilke didn't actually get involved with Austin like he did in the past.
I like the Idea of F1 going to Portugal but I agree with cosi, there will probably be inly 19 races. I cant see Bernie liking one off races.
I have a feeling it will be just the 19 races this term, although I would love to see Turkey ast the super sub venue! Dont like alot of the spacing between races; The F1 2013 Calendar: Australian GP - March 17. Malaysian GP - March 24. Chinese GP - April 14. Bahrain GP - April 21. Spanish GP - May 12. Monaco GP - May 26. Canadian GP - June 9. British GP - June 30. German GP - July 7. Hungarian GP - July 28. Belgian GP - August 25. Italian GP - September 8. Singapore GP - September 22. Korean GP - October 6. Japanese GP - October 13. Indian GP - October 27. Abu Dhabi GP- November 3. United States GP - November 17. Brazilian GP - November 24. I understand the need for teams to get the staff home and restock etc.... but for me it would be better to run some of the races back to back - but I'm just a selfish fan!
btw congrats on writing for F1Today I post a few stories from there so It may be that Im getting my stories from you! keep it up
