Plans for a London Formula One Grand Prix on a track running in and around the Olympic Stadium is among the bids being considered for London 2012’s showpiece arena Silverstone has a contract until 2026ish with an opt out for 2019 so in theory that means a London GP wouldn't sacrifice Silverstone. I know its unlikely to happen and would probably be another terrible street circuit but you never know..... well you do, it'll be rubbish The five bids: West Ham United Interested from the start, they want to build seats over the track for nine months of the year. University of East London Wants to pursue educational uses, using indoor space. Has backing of Essex CCC to run cricket academy. University College of Football Business Affiliate of Bucks New University offering degrees in football business. Intelligent Transport Solutions Asked Bernie Ecclestone if he wanted to stage F1 race in and around stadium and Olympic Park. Leyton Orient Plan to table bid and hope to groundshare with West Ham.
Well aren't pretty much all the new tracks introduced dull for actual racing and passing? Least this one would have a good backdrop. The idea of racing inside and out does actually sound pretty interesting to watch, for a while Doubt it will beat the football bids tough.
The football bids? leyton orients is just a joke, after the hoo haa Hearns kicked up about West Ham moving there he suddenly wants to share. And even if the football bid is accepted that doesn't necessarily mean no F1 there, the round would be in summer (if we get one) when there is no football so it would be free, there are enough street circuits to show that it's quite plausible to set up and dismantle a 'circuit' in a day or so.
Bernie is bound to make 'interested' Bernie noises at the possibility of another string to his bow. The more competition there is for those who wish to stage a Grand Prix, the better it is for him and whoever inherits his legacy. However, I very much doubt that F1 will get a look in when the only other non-football bid comes from the fabulous world of… cricket… (I'm trying very hard not to either laugh or be sick). Ultimately it is the British Establishment we have to consider here; and international motor racing is just not… well, cricket, is it! Hence –as an extension of our Government– the BBC's long-term disinterest and sell out. The concept itself –of a circuit running in and out of a stadium– is so brilliantly conceived, one wonders why it has not already been done. (Please, let's not count Indianapolis; putting a little bit of Mickey Mouse in the middle of an oval (cricket pun intended) is an insult to the very notion of Grand Prix motor racing and is therefore not something to be compared). My back yard/playground is Silverstone; so of course, it is very dear to me –and I sincerely hope that as long as Grand Prix racing exists, it is hosted on this, our most hallowed ground. But it would be a mistake for British F1 fans to regard their cherished sport as having the 'right' to expect a permanent base in the UK because to do so will render it nothing more than a retirement home. Seriously: whilst continuing to support Silverstone, Britons should be happy in the prospect of any and all British alternatives, however unlikely they may be, even including those which might be crafted by Tilke!- - -o0o- - - P.S. Miggins: I know that you meant it tongue-in-cheek but your "day or so" for the average circuit conversion is generously optimistic!
It sounds like a Mario Kart track, they should decorate it like Bowser Castle, you could have drivers jumping over pits of lava and stuff.
Hearing rumours that the plans for the track are set to be unveiled tonight-ish... I'm struggling to see the point of hosting it next year, or whenever they plan on hosting it. Surely the purpose of it being at the Olympic Stadium is because of all the theatrics and tourism the Olympics will provide this year, not next year?
Behold the magic of Google Images: please log in to view this image Surely, there'll be a layout shown in greater detail soon, but apparently Hamilton and Button had an influence in the design of it. Looks fast but also very stop-start, point-and-shoot style. Also, I don't really know what London looks like; can someone point out Olympic Stadium to me please (if it's even in there)?
lol, it's miles from the Olympic stadium. a good half hour on the tube. I agree with you as to what it looks like, there seems to be a real lack of high speed turns.
Lack of high-speed turns?!? But this wasn't designed by Tilke! How can this be? I have to say, as a tour of London it looks...spectacular. But as a Formula One track, and more importantly a track that was supposed to go into a Olympic Stadium...this looks failtacular.
Hang on. This is much better:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2165797/London-Grand-Prix-Formula-One-supremo-Bernie-Ecclestone-unveil-street-race.html This may be the first new circuit in ages where the corners actually have names!
Videos from the presentation here: http://www.crash.net/f1/video/181302/1/must_see_london_grand_prix_brought_to_life.html And here: http://www.crash.net/f1/video/181303/1/go_for_a_lap_of_the_london_grand_prix_circuit.html
I can't help but think that this track is starting to grow on me after those two videos and a bit of further look at the track. The layout reminds me of a much more old-fashioned track; I couldn't quite place my finger on which one, but it does start to remind me of Adelaide and perhaps Imola. As a driver's track, I think it has a "Singapore done right" feeling about it. That Admiralty Arch corner is the most insane corner I've ever seen (Eau Rouge, you may have been trumped). However it also reminds me that V8 Supercars has a million-and-one boring street races (a few of which look like this), and it worries me that we're trading in already good, purpose-built venues, for the glamour of city racing. What makes a race like Monaco so special is that there has always has been no other street circuit and it was something different, but now it's being a bit tarnished.
One point about if its a night race... It would have to be in the summer and therefore it wouldn't be properly dark till after 9-10pm. That'll mean it finishes close to midnight for us and even later for those Europeans to the East. That goes against everything Bernies worked for over the years.
I think anyone who has driven on English roads would be worried about this GP. And how many road crews would be digging up parts of it during the race?
This circuit looks different to the other street circuits in that it actually looks like there could be a few good overtaking spots. Added to that, the arch corner looks incredible! I do worry about the pit lane's close proximity to it, though!
