90 replies to this topic

[WouterF1]

F1 wants the Japanese GP to advance its date to March by 2024

Liberty Media's idea is to start 2024 in Saudi Arabia just before Ramadan, on March 3
After that, they would continue with an unprecedented triplet, Australia-China-Japan, very demanding for the entire paddock
The pre-season, at the end of February in Bahrain, with the GP later in the year after Ramadan

Formula 1 wants to advance the Japanese GP to March in 2024. Liberty Media plans that the very special race in Suzuka will be the fourth on the calendar next year and would be the last of a triplet together with Australia and China that would be very demanding for teams and drivers.

Ramadan 2024 has forced Formula 1 to disrupt plans with its calendar and therefore, they will not be able to organize more than one event in the Middle East at the beginning of the season.
The idea is to go to Bahrain for the pre-season tests at the end of February and then head to Saudi Arabia for the opening race on the weekend of March 1-3.

With Ramadan already underway, Liberty Media plans to head to Australia, which would be the second event on the calendar for the weekend of March 15-17.
Albert Park would start the first treble of 2024, incredibly demanding with China and Japan. There would come one of the great novelties of the season, with Suzuka in March and not in September.

Translated by DeepL.

https://soymotor.com...marzo-para-2024

[Risil]

Like old time MotoGP!

[Risil]

Also who is the source?

[southernstars]

Australia being nearly three weeks earlier would definitely benefit fans and teams. The weather would be slightly more predictable and warmer, and the light issue wouldn't be quite as bad.

 

I can't see this triple-header getting across the line though. The whining about the time zones from Europe would be even more deafening than it already is.

[kumo7]

Suzuka, Av temp 10 degreeC, cloudy, rainy, not a fantastic condition to run F1.

Edited by kumo7, 10 April 2023 - 12:49.

[Collombin]

The whining about the time zones from Europe would be even more deafening than it already is.

I think the whining about the whining is catching up fast though.

[FLB]

Also who is the source?

SoyMotor, so likely Spanish journalist Antonio Lobato. He works with them.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Moving Suzuka to the start of the year is Liberty's final trolling of us long-term fans. 

[Thursday]

Moving Suzuka away from typhoon season sounds like a good idea to me. But I'm not sure March would be the best time.

[Viryfan]

Well Moto Gp used to race in Suzuka as their opener.

[Ruusperi]

Well Moto Gp used to race in Suzuka as their opener.

So, expecting these kind of conditions? Doesn't seem to differ a lot from October. But if it logistically saves money, I'm all for it. Hopefully F2 and F3 will also have a round at Suzuka then.

https://youtu.be/ZwIzXTXONbU?t=319

 

 

About China, I'm not sure. They are quietly becoming Russian's ally in Ukrainian war and Xi keep threatening Taiwan.

This was a main headline just a few hour ago. I'm very worried.

https://edition.cnn....-hnk/index.html

[absinthedude]

FOM can go do something anatomically impossible for most of us....

[LolaB0860]

Wait, Suzuka would be Round 4 but still held in March while March 3rd is Race 1 preceded by pre-test at the end of February...?

 

So

Feb 22-24 - Bahrain test

Mar 3 - Saudi

10 -

17 - Melbourne

24 - Shanghai

31 - Suzuka

 

Who comes up with this nonsense? I mean in one sense it's finally doing something with the 'regionalized' calendar concept that actually does make logistical and economical sense, however rushing everything together just to please off Saudi Arabia's money bags to start off the season is bizarre to me. And it's not all of the Asian races anyway seeing as Singapore is still left out, so they're going to have to go to Far East again in any case. And Middle-East for second (or third) time.   And Baku. Not to mention North America 3 or 4 separate times if they still cannot put Miami and Montreal together for some reason and Interlagos and Las Vegas are not switched around.

 

I'm sure all of those races will have F1 Sprints ™ too.

Edited by LolaB0860, 10 April 2023 - 18:10.

[ARTGP]

Wait, Suzuka would be Round 4 but still held in March while March 3rd is Race 1 preceded by pre-test at the end of February...?

 

So

Feb 22-24 - Bahrain test

Mar 3 - Saudi

10 -

17 - Melbourne

24 - Shanghai

31 - Suzuka

 

Who comes up with this nonsense? I mean in one sense it's finally doing something with the 'regionalized' calendar concept that actually does make logistical and economical sense, however rushing everything together just to please off Saudi Arabia's money bags to start off the season is bizarre to me. 

 

I wouldn't call it bizarre. I would call it expected.  If Saudi Arabia said they want 2 races, we'll be having two races. If SA wants 3 races, we'll be having 3 races. If Saudi Arabia said they want a GP blackout for the month proceeding their GP, we'll be having a GP blackout. 

 

Edited by ARTGP, 10 April 2023 - 18:27.

[LolaB0860]

I wouldn't call it bizarre. I would call it expected.  If Saudi Arabia said they want 2 races, we'll be having two races. If SA wants 3 races, we'll be having 3 races. If Saudi Arabia said they want a GP blackout for the month proceeding their GP, we'll be having a GP blackout. 

 

TBH you are correct, I don't know what I was thinking.

 

Back to 'regionalized calendar', perhaps next year, Saudi Arabia will be Round 1, Bahrain Round 16, Qatar Round 18 and Abu Dhabi Round 24. In between they'll fly to different continents. Same in 2025 but Saudi will also held extra race between Zandvoort and Monza.

[Ferrim]

If Ramadan is an issue, it would be far more sensible to start with Australia-China-Japan, then have Bahrain and SA. But then it's F1 we're talking about.

[absinthedude]

The regionalised calendar could make sense. Also I would not expect Arab countries to host races during Ramadan, which lasts about a month and moves a little each successive year. But F1 took the money from the Arab countries and gave them more and more races.....so F1 has to somehow solve the problem. Putting Suzuka in March isn't a solution, however.

[jonpollak]

Has Liberty already sold to the Saudi’s ?
Must’ve missed the earlier memo.

Jp

[PayasYouRace]

F1 tries to adopt the regionalised calendar fans have been clamouring for for years. They do. Fans complain.

So what’s new?

I quite like the idea of Suzuka in the spring. I’m definitely in favour of a regionalised calendar to ease things for the teams. I’d have thought if Ramadan was an issue they could stick the Arab races in the late season.

[SophieB]

Yeah, I’d be fine with this.

[Goron3]

Suzuka is Spring would be brilliant. I imagine that international Japanese tourists would be more likely to plan a trip that involves a GP visit than the current timeslot.

[RedRabbit]

I'm sure I can remember Suzuka being early in the season before. Maybe the triple header is because they aren't seriously expecting a Chinese GP? And if it cancels again, they don't want a big gap between races.

There's often an argument about regionalized races that each event then competes for the same spectators, which doesn't hold much water when it works just fine in Europe, and populations are even bigger in Asia and the Americas.

[Collombin]

I'm sure I can remember Suzuka being early in the season before

Are you maybe thinking of Aida, the race before Senna was killed? I don't remember Suzuka ever being early in the year, although the way my mind works the more recently it happened, the less likely I am to remember it.

[PayasYouRace]

In WDC terms, Suzuka and Fuji have always held their races in the Autumn. Aida 1994 was the only Japanese race in the spring.

[Ragamuffin]

I hear Red Bull are pushing for racing during Ramadan to help with their catering budget.

[jonpollak]

I hear Red Bull are pushing for racing during Ramadan to help with their catering budget.

Finally...Something to sink my teeth into on here.

 

Jp

[Risil]

Has Liberty already sold to the Saudi’s ?
Must’ve missed the earlier memo.

Jp

I've never read the exact details but I wonder if Saudi money was behind the rescue package for the huge debts F1 incurred during Covid.

[Gareth]

I've never read the exact details but I wonder if Saudi money was behind the rescue package for the huge debts F1 incurred during Covid.

Aren't Liberty listed? So that sort of thing would presumably have been disclosed in public filings?

 

Could also just be part of their race rights deal that they get to host a season opener?

[pacificquay]

In WDC terms, Suzuka and Fuji have always held their races in the Autumn. Aida 1994 was the only Japanese race in the spring.

 

And it lives on as an iRacing favourite and Japanese domestic racing venue.

 

Now called Okayama.

[LolaB0860]

And it lives on as an iRacing favourite and Japanese domestic racing venue.

Now called Okayama.

Along with Sugo it's my favorite Japanese circuit even though I'm probably the only one with that opinion

Okayama also hosts it's biggest racing events in the Spring while Suzuka in Fall, Fuji in Spring and Fall

Edited by LolaB0860, 11 April 2023 - 16:25.

[LolaB0860]

I guess Szafnauer didn't get the memo from Liberty's cash handlers
https://www.motorspo...rward/10455079/

[Risil]

Along with Sugo it's my favorite Japanese circuit even though I'm probably the only one with that opinion

Okayama also hosts it's biggest racing events in the Spring while Suzuka in Fall, Fuji in Spring and Fall

 

I love the dense woodland and hills you got in the background of the TV pictures from Sugo. Very dramatic. It tended to produce some exciting WSBK races too.

[LolaB0860]

I love the dense woodland and hills you got in the background of the TV pictures from Sugo. Very dramatic. It tended to produce some exciting WSBK races too.

 

Yeah it's like a green Studio Ghibli forest

[Blue6ix]

In WDC terms, Suzuka and Fuji have always held their races in the Autumn. Aida 1994 was the only Japanese race in the spring.

 

Just so even though in some pre-season calendars there were some indication going for spring races in Japan.

 

Especially for the seasons of 1978 and 1986 with an added mix for the season of 1987 before moving it for another time in autumn.

 

And of course Japanese Grand Prix for the seasons of 1978 and 1986 were eventually cancelled altogether.

 

Also in the 1995, Aida was only moved from spring to autumn, because of the 1995 earthquake in Japan.

 

Once again in pre-season Aida or Adelaide were up to be as a Pacific Grand Prix, but Bernie didn't want additional race from there eventually in 1996.

Edited by Blue6ix, 11 April 2023 - 18:56.

[NewMrMe]

I don't see a problem with Suzuka being held in the spring. In the past longstanding races have moved from traditional slots. For example, Belgium. Ever since the first world championship in 1950 up until 1987, the Belgian GP was always held in May or June (with the exception of 1985 when the race was postponed and moved to September, even then though it was originally scheduled for May). In 1988 the calendar was rejigged and Belgium moved to the early autumn, which I assume many fans would now regard as its traditional date.

 

One year calendar moves to avoid particular events have also happened in the past. For example, the 2006 Australian Grand Prix was held later than usual and was round 3 instead of being the season opener. This was to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games, which Melbourne was hosting.

 

I do have a problem with the idea of Australia, China and Japan being on consecutive weekends though. That is too much travelling for three back to back races.

[kumo7]

Spring might be OK, as long as it is not in March. guys, in a pullover in the rain, you will see reports of complain about cold weather, is not what you would want in F1.

If it were in April, it is already much better. This one month makes a lot of difference. 

[Jackmancer]

Will be amazing with the sakura trees in bloom

[jjcale]

I've never read the exact details but I wonder if Saudi money was behind the rescue package for the huge debts F1 incurred during Covid.

 

No - that was American money.

 

And since we are playing that game .... the USA is 1 of the only 2 countries with 2 races - and there are plans for a third race  .... and no one complains about that being unfair in some way .... That said, there's no connection between the money and the number of races though ... same as Italy. 

 

Which I think establishes that sponsor money (or any other money) does not currently equal domination of F1 ... there are too many competing interests for that.

 

And why are people so triggered by Saudi money?  ... they bought a race - just like many others have over the years.... big deal. ... and they do some advertising with a team and the sport in general .... and?

 

....... I struggle to see the evidence of Saudi domination of F1.

 

 

Regarding the race in Japan .... holding it in any other season of the year will be an improvement [edit - that doesnt include winter - for obvious reasons ] ... I dont have any preference beyond that. 

Edited by jjcale, 12 April 2023 - 02:21.

[RedRabbit]

In WDC terms, Suzuka and Fuji have always held their races in the Autumn. Aida 1994 was the only Japanese race in the spring.

I think I am remembering 1994.

[Risil]

And why are people so triggered by Saudi money? ... they bought a race - just like many others have over the years.... big deal. ... and they do some advertising with a team and the sport in general .... and?

Speaking for myself, there's a lot of it and there are reasons to believe it's politically directed. Plus it's been on my mind because I was following the golf this weekend.

Anyway, thank you for putting me straight. I still think a springtime Japanese Grand Prix sounds quite nice, climate permitting.

[absinthedude]

I should think the reason people don't (much) complain about there being two or three races in the USA is because the USA has a long, rich history of motor racing including F1...and of automobile manufacture and car culture. 

 

Saudi Arabia has none of those things, nor does it even have a racing mad population of fans which Japan has. I'd rather have two races in Japan than multiple races in the Middle East. Not that I am against a race or two in the Middle East when it is supposed to be a World Championship. Why am I "triggered" by Saudi money? I am not "triggered" and I do wish people wouldn't use that word inappropriately. I am, however, certainly not in favour of taking filthy lucre from a country who's rulers would quite happily see most of my friends dead or at the very best swept away. 

[jjcale]

Fair enough. 

 

I take the point.

 

Lets stick to Japan now, please .... [I dont want to take the thread off track ... or even to be seen to be doing so].

Edited by jjcale, 12 April 2023 - 09:02.

[absinthedude]

So the biggest question would be what is the likely weather in the region of the Suzuka circuit at the proposed time? I'm seeing that it's likely to be rather cold and wet. Not the beautiful sakura conditions that might be fun. 

[Spillage]

I've no particular objection to this. It would take some getting used to but this a great track and as long as we have it I don't particularly mind when it happens.

[Chillimeister]

 

Regarding the race in Japan .... holding it in any other season of the year will be an improvement [edit - that doesnt include winter - for obvious reasons ] ... I dont have any preference beyond that. 

 

Unless you're a huge fan of the sauna you might want to give Japanese summer a miss too ...

[kumo7]

So the biggest question would be what is the likely weather in the region of the Suzuka circuit at the proposed time? I'm seeing that it's likely to be rather cold and wet. Not the beautiful sakura conditions that might be fun.

Sakura comes when it feels like, which is the one reason people enjoy it. So but in April is much better than in march. March is still in the winter, while April is clearly in spring. Japanese calendar also knows long national rest days at the end of the April, which might be good for Japanese fans.

[JimmyClark]

I guess we all got used to Brazil being moved from the end of the beginning of the season, so presumably the same will happen here. April will be great for cherry blossom, but for international fans the flights are already insanely expensive at that time. Weather wise March is pretty miserable, but at least it won't risk being typhooned off.

[WonderboyF1]

Weather can’t be much colder than the 10 degrees I would expect for a Las Vegas night race in the middle of November

[LolaB0860]

Weather can’t be much colder than the 10 degrees I would expect for a Las Vegas night race in the middle of November

Don't worry I'm hearing Domenicalli and Netflix have demanded the city of Las Vegas to be warm that weekend for The Party ™ so it's alright

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2023 - 09:14.

[loki]

Weather can’t be much colder than the 10 degrees I would expect for a Las Vegas night race in the middle of November

Yep though the resort corridor is a bit of heat island particularly when more than 100k are out.  The average temps are taken at the airport which are a bit lower.  Still don't expect more than high 50s low 60s temps (in old money).  Likely won't be more than 5* or so higher in the resort corridor though warmer spells have been known to happen.  They can heat around the grandstands for the punters.  The track surface however is a different story.  Likely to be pretty slick out there.