50 replies to this topic

[kimster89]

Are they making some big changes in the Calendar? Australians say the season will start as late as 3rd April which waaaay to late to me. I dont like where this is going. Maybe more condesned calendar with a lot of back to back races following with a 3 week break.

[Muzzyf1]

I don't mind back to back races but having a 4 month period with no racing would be crap

[JAW97]

Apparently. Would prefer it if there were smaller gaps between races even if it means a late start to the season.

Edited by JAW97, 29 April 2015 - 07:04.

[Exb]

A few posts from last night in another thread with some links to the early date:
 

Not quite the right thread but not sure this needs its own yet???
How reliable this site is I have no idea: http://www.speedcafe...s-2016-f1-date/

Possible date for the first race of the 2016 season. Australia on the 3rd April

(depressingly late after the last few years - this years winter break will seem to go on for ever )

Autosport are now running the story: http://www.autosport...t.php/id/118705

Back-to-back with Shanghai as well apparently!

Hopefully this turns out to be correct - I've just made a (refundable) booking for a trackside hotel at Albert Park on the new date for around $100/night!

Given there's a chance of a 20+ race calendar, a season finale on Christmas day can't be too far away?

Edited by Exb, 29 April 2015 - 07:09.

[SophieB]

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/118705

 

Formula 1 is set for its latest season start since 1988 next year, with the 2016 season-opening Australian Grand Prix scheduled for April 3 as a back-to-back with China.

As part of a surprise move to condense the F1 calendar, Melbourne announced that it has been awarded an April 3 race date next season.

 

 

It is unclear why FOM has been pushing for a condensed calendar, but it could be a way of helping reduce costs for teams and F1 personnel.

It would minimise the need for returns to Europe and maximise interest in the sport due to there being no downtime between events.

There has been no word, however, on how many events the current 2016 calendar has, or if the Italian Grand Prix has kept its slot.

 

[Sebastien007]

Maybe they can put than some more wintertests, I'm sure Honda will agree.

[SenorSjon]

I don't mind back to back races but having a 4 month period with no racing would be crap

 

I rather have 4 months winter than those 6-8 week periods in the summer with only 1 race.

[Exb]

Maybe they can put than some more wintertests, I'm sure Honda will agree.

Would be nice however there is 1 less pre-season test next year (only 2 tests of 4 days) in the rules - the winter will be so long

[Lotusseven]

If they start later they maybe end the season later, last race in december ?  

[wj_gibson]

A December finish, then.

Remember 2011 when there was an attempt to have the Indian GP take place in December and it was vetoed by absolutely everyone? Maybe Ecclestone has been thinking for some time that he wants it to end in December.

[wj_gibson]

Also - what might such a condensing mean for the August shut down?

[katmen]

Also - what might such a condensing mean for the August shut down?

I would say no august shutdown?

 

that 4 months will be long FUB!

[Peat]

It doesn't matter when you start the season, Force India will still be late. 

[wj_gibson]

I would say no august shutdown?

 

that 4 months will be long FUB!

 

Yeah, but the August shutdown was brought in at the behest of the teams to enable the engineers to be able to spend some time with families in the summer (i.e. during the school holidays), otherwise they go off to work in things like Aerospace and you lose a lot of the senior engineers with their knowledge. Abolishing the August shutdown means essentially requiring most of the staff to go eight months solid with absolutely no time off and that just isn't sustainable (no matter how much F1 fans sat in front of their TVs and mobile devices might wish it to be).

[WhiteBlue]

I agree with Joe Saward, that it is likely Bernie is manipulating this for his own purposes. It means payout is delayed, pressure is put on the Australians and if you compress the season first you can accommodate more races later when you want to.

Edited by WhiteBlue, 29 April 2015 - 09:26.

[hamilton10000]

Yes it will be a bit annoying that the off season is a few weeks longer but at least then we shouldn't end up with 1 race in 7 weeks like we have this season 

[goingthedistance]

Will Sepang be on the calendar next year I wonder?

[Massa_f1]

I hope Sepang is on the calendar. It is mostly always an entertaining race.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Well unless Germany comes back onto the calendar next year (I doubt it) we'll be back at 20 events (Baku joining the calendar). If the season was to end on the last weekend in November as has become the norm, that's 20 races in 35 weeks. If you kept the 4 week shutdown that's 20 races in 31 weeks, which I think means that we'd potentially be looking even at some triple headers to fit them in that timeframe.

 

To answer the above posters, Sepang signed a new deal until 2018 this year.

Edited by HuddersfieldTerrier1986, 29 April 2015 - 10:17.

[drionita]

Just a silly thought: what about a winter series for 20- years drivers and 1 year old cars?

[Sheepmachine]

Season starting in April, not sure I like that idea. I hope this doesn't eventually spawn an indycar style early end to the season at some point.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Season starting in April, not sure I like that idea. I hope this doesn't eventually spawn an indycar style early end to the season at some point.

 

No chance. I doubt Indycar has tracks inside and outside America falling over themselves to join the series, whereas F1, well, you only have to look at additions in the last 10 years, mainly from cash rich countries who want a slice of the pie to promote their country, to see that we'll not have a September/October finish for a long time yet as if a race falls by the wayside, another country will step in.

[Exb]

Well unless Germany comes back onto the calendar next year (I doubt it) we'll be back at 20 events (Baku joining the calendar).

Why wouldn't Germany be on the 2016 calendar? Nurburgring couldn't host it this year under their new management and Hockenheim did not want to step in as they would lose too much money but it shouldn't affect the existing Hockenheim contract, which was for a race in 2016.

[wj_gibson]

Why wouldn't Germany be on the 2016 calendar? Nurburgring couldn't host it this year under their new management and Hockenheim did not want to step in as they would lose too much money but it shouldn't affect the existing Hockenheim contract, which was for a race in 2016.

 

I'm not sure it's quite as simple as that.

[Kristian]

Why wouldn't Germany be on the 2016 calendar? Nurburgring couldn't host it this year under their new management and Hockenheim did not want to step in as they would lose too much money but it shouldn't affect the existing Hockenheim contract, which was for a race in 2016.

Hockenheim annoyed Bernie by not stepping in this year and paying his exorbitant fees. Annoying Bernie is not a good idea if you want to stay on the calendar... 

[Fastcake]

A more condensed calendar would be welcome if it allows some of the awkward gaps to be removed.

I imagine Bernie has some nefarious plan though. He generally does.

[hamilton10000]

Autosport's predicted calendar 

 

April 3 - Australia (Albert Park)
April 10 - China (Shanghai)
April 24 - Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 1 - Russia (Sochi)
May 15 - Spain (Barcelona)
May 29 - Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 12 - Canada (Montreal)
June 26 - Britain (Silverstone)
July 3 - Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 17 - Europe (Baku)
July 31 - Germany (Hockenheim)
August 7 - Hungary (Hungaroring)
August 28 - Belgium (Spa)
September 4 - Italy (Monza)
September 18 - Singapore (Marina Bay)
September 25 - Malaysia (Sepang)
October 9 - Japan (Suzuka)
October 23 - USA (Austin)
October 30 - Mexico (Mexico City)
November 13 - Brazil (Interlagos)
November 27 - Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

 

 

I do quite like the look of it. Only more than a 2 week gap between races once and 7 double headers

[Jimisgod]

No Monza and another shitty street race in Oil-land? Oh god why do I bother.

[Berner]

"Hopefully this turns out to be correct - I've just made a (refundable) booking for a trackside hotel at Albert Park on the new date for around $100/night!"

 

You do realize that this is likely to be a shipping container on blocks next to the port-a-potties? Or is that $100 per person for a group of twenty?

[toxicfusion]

4 Opening races that will cause the order to fluctuate wildly. 

 

Having Sepang early helps show which cars have good cornering speeds, China is front limited and Bahrain is mostly power/braking.

[Kristian]

Sepang and Singapore together? What a stupid idea - talk about diluting the possible crowd, and most people would rather go to Singapore. I doubt the Malaysians would be happy about that (Autosport says people could go to both races - but who could afford that, esp with Singapore's prices?). 

 

And Baku in July? That's going to be HOT (I mean temperature, not on-track action...).

 

I think Mexico should be twinned with Canada to give some kind of point of the first North American jaunt, then Brazil and USA as well.

 

Making the calendar even more condensed by getting rid of Abu Dhabi and finishing in Brazil would be perfect too 

[Fastcake]

A Malaysian and Singapore double header would be a great trip for westerners. Tickets for Sepang were really cheap last time I checked, and you've got time for a holiday in between the races.

[Nonesuch]

No Monza and another shitty street race in Oil-land? Oh god why do I bother.

 
Monza is still on that expected calendar; September 4 - Italy (Monza).
 
As for the late starting date, I much prefer a shorter season to one with gaps. It's not that bad now, but a couple of years ago the calendar was all over the place. That definitely didn't help my interest.
 
The 'European' Grand Prix in a town east of Baghdad still strikes me as hilariously dumb. What a joke!

Edited by Nonesuch, 29 April 2015 - 15:33.

[JHSingo]

Eh, to be honest, starting in April is no big deal. F1 fans have been spoilt with how early the seasons have started/finished over the last few years anyway.

 

April is when most forms of motorsport are just getting started, so I'm used to it.

 

Incidentally, I wonder what F1 fans would be saying if the off season lasted as long as IndyCar's.

[givemeabettercar]

If only they could get rid of Abu Dhabi and have Brazil, Austin and Suzuka as 3 of the last 4 would be great. Mexico is not bad also

[Peter0Scandlyn]

Incidentally, I wonder what F1 fans would be saying if the off season lasted as long as IndyCar's.

 

Or if the on season was as short as Indycars......(apologies for being O/T    )

[Rob29]

Anyone know why Baku race is listed as 'European GP? Title only used for second race in country that already had one,Britain;spain & italy in 'Bernie' era anyway?

[Stephane]

To comply with minimal number of "European" race, apparently

[hamilton10000]

I was bored (really bored ) so I worked out the off season lengths since 2000

 

2000-2001 - 133 days

2001-2002 - 140 days

2002-2003 - 147 days

2003-2004 - 147 days

2004-2005 - 133 days

2005-2006 - 147 days

2006-2007 - 147 days

2007-2008 - 147 days

2008-2009 - 147 days

2009-2010 - 133 days

2010-2011 - 133 days (119 days if Bahrain had happened)

2011-2012 - 112 days

2012-2013 - 112 days

2013-2014 - 112 days

2014-2015 - 112 days

2015-2016 - 126 days

 

As you can see only the last four years has the off season been shorter than it is set to be this year so there really is not much reason to moan about an extra couple of weeks

[Stephane]

NOvember races is a recent thing.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Definitely in favour of this. I hope it materialises.

[Kristian]

A squeezed calendar will mean less in-season test days, so maybe there will be scope for an extra pre-season test. 

 

And maybe they could bring in a rule about young drivers in pre season - e.g. if they let them have 16 days of pre-season testing, at least 4 of them have to be assigned to the non-race young drivers. 

[Fastcake]

Anyone know why Baku race is listed as 'European GP? Title only used for second race in country that already had one,Britain;spain & italy in 'Bernie' era anyway?

It's all part of Azerbaijan's PR campaign on pretending to be a European country. They presumably paid Bernie millions on top to get the European GP title.

[Hans V]

I barely can be bothered anymore, but apart from the calendar seems to be designed to maximise frequent flyer miles, it seems like Bernie is trying to devalue F1 so much that he can buy out the CVC vultures cheaply.

[MikeV1987]

If it means having less 3 week breaks in between races then I am glad to wait a little longer for the season to start.

[Rob29]

NOvember races is a recent thing.

Hardly.1960 USA GP at Riverside was in november.1959 at Sebring was in december.South African GP 1962 & 63 were after Xmas

[Lotusseven]

 

Formula One Gets The Green Light For 25 Races - forbes.com

[PayasYouRace]

Erm...

 

"This year there will be a total of 19 races after the German Grand Prix dropped off the calendar despite Mr Ecclestone’s best efforts to save it.."

 

Like Bernie has made any effort to save it. 

[DinocoBlue]

Just speculation based on comments made on the Sky F1 show, could there be another race added in as the season opener? Does Melbourne have any contractual requirement that its the first race? (The switch in '06 with the Com. Games being the exception).

 

I can't think of anywhere, that's not on the '16 calendar, that could be a likely candidate anyway.

Edited by DinocoBlue, 03 May 2015 - 08:59.

[scheivlak]

Erm...

 

"This year there will be a total of 19 races after the German Grand Prix dropped off the calendar despite Mr Ecclestone’s best efforts to save it.."

 

Like Bernie has made any effort to save it. 

The article is written by Christian Sylt. Enough said.