This is a question which has intrigued me for a while, with a large amount of money spent on the circuit, would F1 ever consider going back? By a large amount of money being spent, I mean all the way around the circuit installing adequate run-off areas and high quality tyre walls, gravel traps, etc, and also bringing the spectator facilities up to scratch, all without altering the layout of the track one bit? It may need a resurface I guess, but other than that, if the track was kept the same, do you think F1 would go back? Or, do you think the long list of fatalities associated with the circuit make it best left alone? Do you think that bringing it back would do nothing for F1? As another issue, do you think circuits of the length of the Nordschleife could ever make a return? I've seen JerseyMackem mock up a long street circuit around Jersey, do you think that this would be possible within the safety standards the sport demands? So what do you think?
As romantic as the idea may be, F1 could never return to the Nordschleife as a competitive entity. When was the last time an F1 car went round? I assume there have at least been some demonstration runs since 1976?
I don't think you can add a poll after the event on vBulletin. I'm pretty sure you need to to create a new thread with a poll and ask a mod to merge the two threads. You'd probably also need to ask a mod to merge the likelihood of a F1 race at the Nordschleife with reality. Edit: ey up - how did you manage that?
I think Heidfeld did a few laps in a BMW F1 car around 2005, I can't remember exactly, but never really attacked it, and the car was set up for safety rather than maxing lap times.
It's very unlikely. Even with a lot of money spent on the circuit, one lap is far too long. Imagine how long the formation lap would take.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdghVfOoXAE I would love F1 to return there but I really do not think it will happen because of stuff like safety. Although if they did it in the 60s and safety is a million times better now I do not see why not. Jackie Stewart's drive there in 1968 was one of the best drives ever.
Cheers for the link. I've watched some of Sir Jackie's footage on YouTube and it's brilliant, there's one where he gives a running commentary though and he doesn't seem to like the place. I think all the kerbs need doing, some resurfacing at the Karussell and a few little tweaks like run off areas and tyre walls and it would be ready race. Marshalls shouldn't be a problem, people would most likely be queuing up to do it, it's a free race ticket after all. Realistically though, they'll never go back unfortunately. Also in making the track safe they may over-sanitise it, I believe the circuit was originally over 20 miles long, but the kept taking sections out and straight lining corners to try and make it safe.
no chance, too long for a start, then there is the safety, look how tree-lined it is, huge banks at the side of the track, if you took modern f1 there would be death/s.
My heart says yes my head says no. The old track layout has overgrown with trees and would cost quite a lot to cut down and replace with stands and tarmac. It's over now I reckon.
