256 replies to this topic

[Brawn BGP 001]

From Dieter Rencken in Race Fans
 

There’s a long wait to the sprint qualifying race so I seek some news. A team source tells me they had expected a draft 2022 F1 calendar this weekend but that it is now unlikely to be presented before Russia due to complexities caused by Covid.

However, Imola is likely to return full-time, while the futures of Paul Ricard and (whisper it) Monaco – which is out of contract and can no longer rely on the ‘old boys club’ for support – look shaky. That could explain why Miami is confident of a May date.

 

Probably just deliberations about money but this could be huge surprise if Monaco is removed.

 

F1 Paddock Diary: Italian Grand Prix part two | RaceFans

[IrvTheSwerve]

As rubbish as the racing is around Monaco, I very much doubt that it would be dropped.

[Risil]

I think Monaco is probably about status as well as money. I doubt Liberty are wild about the idea that Monaco gets all these special privileges and gets to not pay a centime in sanctioning fees, and I wonder whether given the efforts Ross Brawn and co are making at other tracks to dig them up and improve the racing, what they think about the fact that Monaco gets to make no concessions to how racing car design has changed since about 1972.

 

There are other categories that probably put on a better show around Monaco (Formula E had a great race there this season) but I'm not sure a divorce would benefit Monaco or F1.

 

As for Imola, great!

 

As for Paul Ricard, the track is wrong but there needs to be a Grand Prix in France. IMO.

[kumo7]

F1 without Monaco is like life with no woman.

[statman]

I know Monaco is tight, but is there really no other configuration/extension of some straights possible?

[dierome87]

Can't see France being left without a race (I count Monaco as a de facto French GP)

[Disgrace]

Paul Ricard is a strong contender for worst circuit on the calendar, it would not be missed.

[Paa]

F1 without Monaco is like life with no woman.

 

 

Calm and relaxed?

[Piif]

F1 without Monaco = sweet.

[Peat]

Paul Ricard is a strong contender for worst circuit on the calendar, it would not be missed.

 

They should go 2 hours West to Circuit de Ledenon!

It's like Portimao without the safety.

[Goron3]

I imagine they are simply playing hard ball with Monaco so they can start collecting a race fee.

[wj_gibson]

Wasn’t Ricard one of Ecclestone’s final deals? If so, maybe the current owners want shot of it.

 

I’d have Imola, Portimao and Mugello on the calendar permanently if I had my way.

 

IMO Monaco hasn’t really been F1’s blue riband event for a while now. It’s felt like “just another race” for years. I think the sport could live without it, to be honest.

[Risil]

Out of interest, how many of F1's drivers and major personalities live in Monaco these days?

 

Obvs from the 1960s to the 2000s it felt like half the grid lived there.

[engineblock1]

Paul Ricard can go out and F1 wont miss much either. I honestly dont have much historic knowledge which other French circuits could be good alternatives. I have only seen Magny-Cours which is equally horrible or worse.

Everyone knows how much procession of a race Monaco is - but sometimes action is trumped by image. Really doubt Monaco is going out but if it stays, it needs a major revamp somehow.

[Muppetmad]

In the rain, Monaco delivers. In the dry... well, qualifying is fun, and that's about it.

[HerbieMcQueen]

I think Monaco is probably about status as well as money. I doubt Liberty are wild about the idea that Monaco gets all these special privileges and gets to not pay a centime in sanctioning fees, and I wonder whether given the efforts Ross Brawn and co are making at other tracks to dig them up and improve the racing, what they think about the fact that Monaco gets to make no concessions to how racing car design has changed since about 1972.

 

There are other categories that probably put on a better show around Monaco (Formula E had a great race there this season) but I'm not sure a divorce would benefit Monaco or F1.

 

As for Imola, great!

 

As for Paul Ricard, the track is wrong but there needs to be a Grand Prix in France. IMO.

 

Couldn't agree more. Perfectly said from start to finish.

[TennisUK]

Of all the tracks to be talked about being added, Imola is an absolute no.

 

If Monaco goes (which I think is very unlikely) then another series will be very happy to pick it up, for sure.

[Ben1445]

There are other categories that probably put on a better show around Monaco (Formula E had a great race there this season) but I'm not sure a divorce would benefit Monaco or F1.

Formula E has recently made the Monaco ePrix an annual event instead of the biennial event alternating with the Historic GP that it had been previously, which adds an interesting layer to the rumour.

 

But in all honestly, gut feeling says it's just attempting to renegotiate the terms on which Monaco has their contract - if F1 show that they're willing to walk away Monaco might be willing to budge further. Question is if Monaco then call F1's bluff or not. 

 

And I guess the Monaco Grand Prix has been run before as a sports car event so... I suppose nothing is impossible. 

[Risil]

I would be really surprised if Monaco ended up as a WEC event!!

[Rodaknee]

Monaco makes a huge amount from the Friday stoppage.  As Joe Saward mentioned last week, Liberty want that day for practice.

[Goron3]

I suspect Liberty are also trying to negotiate a race fee, which they've never had before.

With Singapore, COTA and France all out of contract, it does make me wonder if we might see some surprises.

[ThadGreen]

No more F1 at Monaco? Perhaps there is a god?

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

I'd have no problem with them dumping Paul Ricard. They have a squillion possible layouts and the layout they have is basically just not very good. Wouldn't miss it at all. Monaco at least is a track where the drivers have to be millimetre perfect otherwise you're screwed. Ok some races there have been terrible, I'm not denying that, but I'd have Monaco over Paul Ricard.

[mclarensmps]

I know Monaco is genuinely a race with no action whatsoever, but for me, just watching the cars go around the track is gratifying enough. I don't know what it is. I've always enjoyed the race, and hope to one day watch a race there in person. I hope it stays. 

[Clrnc]

Paul Ricard can go, no problem. Bring back Magnycours. 

[noikeee]

Run Indycars at Monaco instead.

[TennisUK]

Paul Ricard can go, no problem. Bring back Magnycours. 

Having been to both tracks there is no way I would ever go to an F1 race at Magny Cours again. Terrible venue.

[JeePee]

We need Monaco.

 

People who rather like Tilke tracks: you can enjoy the other 20 races the year has to offer.

[Izzyeviel]

leave monaco to FE. We can have proper racing on the streets of monaco again.

[Atreiu]

Paul Ricard is a strong contender for worst circuit on the calendar, it would not be missed.

 

What pains me is that it already has fantastic built in options. Just use them.

[SenorSjon]

Out of interest, how many of F1's drivers and major personalities live in Monaco these days?

 

Obvs from the 1960s to the 2000s it felt like half the grid lived there.

 

I've heard Ricciardo and Verstappen live in the same building in Monaco. 

[TennisUK]

I've heard Ricciardo and Verstappen live in the same building in Monaco. 

Nearly all the drivers still live there.

 

Or at least have addresses there. Personally I'd hate to live in Monaco - particularly as there are much nicer places 5-10km down the coast. but I guess those aren't quite as tax-efficient.

Edited by TennisUK, 13 September 2021 - 13:53.

[Calum]

I could live in Monaco if they gave me £1 every time I’ve made a wrong prediction… but no way F1 permanently chooses to ditch Monaco!

Would be happy to see Imola back on a proper deal, if swapped for Paul Ricard that’s a good swap.

[Clatter]

Wasn’t Ricard one of Ecclestone’s final deals? If so, maybe the current owners want shot of it.

I’d have Imola, Portimao and Mugello on the calendar permanently if I had my way.

IMO Monaco hasn’t really been F1’s blue riband event for a while now. It’s felt like “just another race” for years. I think the sport could live without it, to be honest.

Think the owner is his ex wife. Part of the divorce deal.

[Burtros]

Abu Dhabi is the real one that needs to go!

[Goron3]

Abu Dhabi is the real one that needs to go!

At least the circuit is being fixed this year.

[absinthedude]

Paul Ricard can go out and F1 wont miss much either. I honestly dont have much historic knowledge which other French circuits could be good alternatives. I have only seen Magny-Cours which is equally horrible or worse.

Everyone knows how much procession of a race Monaco is - but sometimes action is trumped by image. Really doubt Monaco is going out but if it stays, it needs a major revamp somehow.

 

Ricard or Magny-Cours....Le Mans Bugatti circuit could probably be put up to grade 1 spec but it's not exactly exciting.

 

I actually like Paul Ricard. But then I remember a lot of exciting races there in the 80s. Magny-Cours is worse.

 

no monaco would be  a travesty.

 

The other circuits to host the French GP either no longer exist or are never going to get close to grade 1.

[Pimpwerx]

Ditch Monaco. It's been a garbage F1 circuit for literally decades now.

[IrvTheSwerve]

I know it's not a very popular opinion, but I actually really like Magny-Cours. Some really epic high-speed corners, a nice long straight with an overtaking opportunity at the hairpin, some quite unique high-speed chicanes. They would be spectacular in the modern F1 cars.

[Anja]

I really enjoyed the last two races on Imola so I'd be happy if it's here to stay. 

 

 

The Zandvoort banking was received well so my proposal for the French GP is Montlhery 

 

Edited by Anja, 13 September 2021 - 14:55.

[JeePee]

I know it's not a very popular opinion, but I actually really like Magny-Cours. Some really epic high-speed corners, a nice long straight with an overtaking opportunity at the hairpin, some quite unique high-speed chicanes. They would be spectacular in the modern F1 cars.

I believe the circuit itself was never the real problem. More that it was in the middle of nowhere. So media didn't like it.

[ARTGP]

I believe the circuit itself was never the real problem. More that it was in the middle of nowhere. So media didn't like it.

 

Well copy and paste it on top of paul ricard (or would Michelin not like that?).  Paul Ricard is a blank canvas anyway.

Edited by ARTGP, 13 September 2021 - 14:37.

[Ali_G]

I really enjoyed the last two races on Imola so I'd be happy if it's here to stay.


The Zandvoort banking was well received so my proposal for a French GP is Montlhery

It’s like someone built a circuit with a rough outline of Monaco.

[Ali_G]

Full Mistral straight at Paul Ricard or get rid of it quite frankly.

[pacificquay]

Sabre-rattling.

 

There is no way Monaco will be ditched.

[Rodaknee]

I believe the circuit itself was never the real problem. More that it was in the middle of nowhere. So media didn't like it.

Spectators too.  There are massive traffic jams into and out of the circuit.

 

https://www.autospor...296493/5296493/

[dissident]

Saturday at Monaco is one of the highlights of the season as far as I'm concerned.

 

I'd swap Imola for Mugello, though.

[Rodaknee]

Ditch Monaco. It's been a garbage F1 circuit for literally decades now.

It's the deal destination for F1.  All the sponsors turn up for the weekend and the floating gin palaces get a good airing.  It's far too important to the teams for it to be binned.

[ARTGP]

Saturday at Monaco is one of the highlights of the season as far as I'm concerned.

 

I'd swap Imola for Mugello, though.

 

Absolutely. So many obsessed with the race on Sunday, completely miss how Monaco qualifying might well be the most suspenseful qualifying session of the year.

 

Monaco might well be one of the only remaining tracks on the calendar that rewards precision, with zero run off or room for error. Is this lost on people?  You want more corner cutting tarmac car parks?

Edited by ARTGP, 13 September 2021 - 14:53.

[Rodaknee]

Think the owner is his ex wife. Part of the divorce deal.

And she has put it on the market

 

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