96 replies to this topic

[MKSixer]

Controlling for the most up-to-date information since Chat GPT is about 2 years behind, here is the proposed 2024 schedule it create with geography, air travel and weather as guiding parameters.

 

Sure, here is my proposed 24 race Formula One Calendar for 2024:

 

    Melbourne, Australia: March 16th

    Sao Paulo, Brazil: March 30th

    Shanghai, China: April 13th

    Bahrain, Bahrain: April 27th

    Barcelona, Spain: May 11th

    Monaco, Monaco: May 25th

    Montreal, Canada: June 8th

    Silverstone, UK: June 22nd

    Red Bull Ring, Austria: July 6th

    Hockenheim, Germany: July 20th

    Budapest, Hungary: August 3rd

    Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: August 17th

    Monza, Italy: August 31st

    Sochi, Russia: September 14th

    Suzuka, Japan: September 28th

    Mexico City, Mexico: October 12th

    Austin, USA: October 26th

    Interlagos, Brazil: November 9th

    Abu Dhabi, UAE: November 23rd

    Bahrain: December 7th

    Jerez, Spain: December 14th

    Melbourne, Australia: January 4th

    Singapore, Singapore: January 18th

    Interlagos, Brazil: February 1st

[PayasYouRace]

Plus the start of 2025 apparently.

[MKSixer]

Plus the start of 2025 apparently.

The American tradition of sports season bleed-over.

[sportyskells]

That was a nice surprise when I was walking around asda when I checked my phone and saw the dates. I have no issues with the Saturday races and happy that Japan has moved. What is the weather like in April for Japan?

[Risil]

I don't think Sochi is a good idea MKSixer. Though probably better than Rostov-on-Don.

[MKSixer]

I don't think Sochi is a good idea MKSixer. Though probably better than Rostov-on-Don.

Agreed.  It's within the limits of the AI.

[ANF]

Here's the proposed list of 24 races:

02/03 Bahrain GP
09/03 Saudi Arabian GP
24/03 Australian GP
07/04 Japanese GP
21/04 Chinese GP
05/05 Miami GP
19/05 Emilia Romagna GP
26/05 Monaco GP
09/06 Canadian GP
23/06 Spanish GP
30/06 Austrian GP
07/07 British GP
21/07 Hungarian GP
28/07 Belgian GP
25/08 Dutch GP
01/09 Italian GP
15/09 Azerbaijan GP
22/09 Singapore GP
20/10 United States GP
27/10 Mexico City GP
03/11 São Paulo GP
23/11 Las Vegas GP
01/12 Qatar GP
08/12 Abu Dhabi GP

 

(Copy and paste job from the calendar table on Wikipedia; "Grand Prix" replaced by "GP"; dates entered manually in shorter format; credit to the Wikipedia updater!)

Edited by ANF, 05 July 2023 - 19:07.

[Risil]

Agreed. It's within the limits of the AI.

Oh I hadn't realized you'd got an AI to write it!

Also Melbourne and Interlagos are on there twice.

[pdac]

Oh I hadn't realized you'd got an AI to write it!

Also Melbourne and Interlagos are on there twice.

 

Is that the Chinese girl that lives round the corner?

[ConsiderAndGo]

Too many races. Way too saturated.

I’ll easily miss 7-8 of them.

[KWSN - DSM]

Too many races. Way too saturated.

I’ll easily miss 7-8 of them.

 

Trimmed for size

 

24 March Australian GP, Melbourne

7 April Japanese GP, Suzuka

21 April Chinese GP, Shanghai

19 May Emilia Romagna GP, Imola

26 May Monaco GP, Monte Carlo

9 June Canadian GP, Montreal

23 June Spanish GP, Barcelona

30 June Austrian GP, Spielberg

7 July British GP, Silverstone

21 July Hungarian GP, Budapest

28 July Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps

25 August Dutch GP, Zandvoort

1 September Italian GP, Monza

20 October United States GP, Austin

27 October Mexican GP, Mexico City

3 November Brazilian GP, Interlagos

[TheFish]

Sorry for being thick but why does Ramadam mean we're racing on a Saturday?

[Bleu]

Sorry for being thick but why does Ramadam mean we're racing on a Saturday?

 

Assuming they didn't want to have a season-opening race in February (although now free practice is there) the options were to have just one Arabic race in the beginning or have both while having races on Saturday.

 

Am I correct that in Arabic countries the weekend is actually Friday and Saturday? I mean from the point of usual worker or student. So in that case it might be better for the locals. 

[KWSN - DSM]

Assuming they didn't want to have a season-opening race in February (although now free practice is there) the options were to have just one Arabic race in the beginning or have both while having races on Saturday.

 

Am I correct that in Arabic countries the weekend is actually Friday and Saturday? I mean from the point of usual worker or student. So in that case it might be better for the locals. 

 

How many actual locals go to the races in the Middle East? Which mean I am not considering the ex-pats local.

[RedRabbit]

Odd, that so many are ok with Sprint races and qualifying on a Saturday, but not a GP.

I have friends who live in the Gulf region, and I think it would be great for them to not worry about taking a day off work to go watch a race.

As to the questions about how many locals go watch the races in the Middle East - you ever consider how many locals would go watch a race in Europe or anywhere else on a Monday? They don't go because they're working.

Weekends are Friday and Saturday in the Middle East.

Edited by RedRabbit, 05 July 2023 - 20:16.

[RedRabbit]

How many actual locals go to the races in the Middle East? Which mean I am not considering the ex-pats local.

Sunday is a working day....

[FirstnameLastname]

Only 2.5 months of downtime across the year… 14 year old me would have loved that. 38 year old me will miss at least half of the races.

[Myrvold]

As to the questions about how many locals go watch the races in the Middle East - you ever consider how many locals would go watch a race in Europe or anywhere else on a Monday? They don't go because they're working.

 

Not sure, but we have as much spectators on a Monday-match as we have on Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon. And with the new TV deal, all matches go earlier that usual, even the Monday ones.

[azza200]

Total overkill and over saturation of the calendar 

[Spillage]

I like the regionalisation idea a lot and don't particularly mind Japan being brought forwards to earlier in the season.

24 races is too many though. 20's plenty. Can't we think outside the box and maybe rotate? Saudi one year, Abu Dhabi the next. Austria one year, Hungary the next. Vegas one year, Miami the next. It'd be a very easy way to get the numbers down without dropping the races altogether.

[FirstnameLastname]

Some free ideas for Liberty to keep it fresh.

Shorten every race and just have sprint races. Will stop people getting bored and be easier to cut up for YouTube highlights too

Have a couple ‘guest’ celebs driving alongside the drivers on the grid. Folks love a bit of celebrity don’t they. Imagine Madonna taking part in a race. Every race it’s somebody new and exciting. They can put out press releases about how much they love Aramco and stuff.

[GridGuru]

Hard to believe we have had a 50% increase in races in the last 20 years. 

[JimmyClark]

Only 2.5 months of downtime across the year… 14 year old me would have loved that. 38 year old me will miss at least half of the races.

My thoughts exactly.

I've only seen three races live this year so far, and I'm someone who doesn't miss a live race unless I can't really help it. Life is busy. F1 certainly can't have 46% of my weekends.

Although I did notice there is now an "autumn break" after Singapore. Interesting.

[southernstars]

Only 2.5 months of downtime across the year… 14 year old me would have loved that. 38 year old me will miss at least half of the races.

 

I'm concerned about the crews. It's a lot of work.

 

I'm not fussed about the first two races being on Saturdays - though probably that's more because selfishly, it lets me sleep. Bahrain and Saudi are at 2am and 4am respectively for me, I won't object to getting Sunday to sleep in instead of having to get a pre-work catnap in and then plod through the day.

 

A couple of weeks earlier for Australia should do it wonders too, both with the height of the sun late in qualifying/the race and the weather.

[Larunss]

Only 2.5 months of downtime across the year… 14 year old me would have loved that. 38 year old me will miss at least half of the races.

Yes, these days it is too much. A bit of an analogy for me would be ice hockey or football. I couldn't be bothered to watch all those regular season games. But I do tune in to see what happens in the World Championship or World Cup, since it is rare and special.

Used to be the same for F1. Some 20 years ago I was counting days from October to March waiting to finally see the new season begin. The dreadful summer break with no races.

Not the case these days. 20 racea was already a lot and seemed like a reasonable limit which should not be crossed, but when you have all these exciting street circuits lining up to host the races what can you do? Refuse the money?

The calendar itself? Since I'm not travelling around doesnt really matter for me. Some sort of regional grouping is definately the way to go, the staff travelling around will barely have any time off.
Bit of a shame we are stuck with the Abu Dull season finale, but the title fight will probably be over by that point anyway.

[JimmyClark]

Sorry for being thick but why does Ramadam mean we're racing on a Saturday?

 

I think its because Ramadan starts on the Sunday of the Saudi weekend, so the race is on Saturday. Thus Bahrain a week before needs to be moved to Saturday too to allow for the week-long turnaround. 

[TheFish]

I think its because Ramadan starts on the Sunday of the Saudi weekend, so the race is on Saturday. Thus Bahrain a week before needs to be moved to Saturday too to allow for the week-long turnaround. 

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks.

[ARTGP]

I like the regionalisation idea a lot and don't particularly mind Japan being brought forwards to earlier in the season.

24 races is too many though. 20's plenty. Can't we think outside the box and maybe rotate? Saudi one year, Abu Dhabi the next. Austria one year, Hungary the next. Vegas one year, Miami the next. It'd be a very easy way to get the numbers down without dropping the races altogether.

If we go down to 20, it’s not Saudi and Abu Dhabi that will be rotating….They pay more to have their races. It won’t be Vegas or Miami either.

It will be the Monaco, Spa, Monza, and Silverstones of the world who get the short stick.

[MKSixer]

I understand the theoretical sentiment about concern for the traveling. As a former 280+ days per year traveler for 20 years, we have choices.  One doesn't have to take a job that requires that much travel.  When I worked for other people my personal motto with regard to travel and other Crap Duty (Expense Reports, Compliance Training, et al) was, "When you take the Queen's coin, you do her bidding without complaint." 

 

I enjoy F1, immensely...I have for 50 years now so more races is great for me.  If there is any problem which continues for me it's holding races in the countries of murdering dictators, oligarchs, royal oil families, etc.  And while the proximity of F1 to highly moneyed interests is historic and necessary, we absolutely should be drawing a line somewhere.  Alas, oil, money and now crypto talk.

[Sash1]

Last two races near Iran. I can see it happen Quatar and Abu Dahbi cancelend.
Would have a huge impact on the championship if they do not replace them with another race.

[southernstars]

Last two races near Iran. I can see it happen Quatar and Abu Dahbi cancelend.
Would have a huge impact on the championship if they do not replace them with another race.

 

Dude, are you forgetting we literally had a race go ahead last year where a missile attacked very close to the circuit and the drivers could smell the resultant fire?

 

That one wasn't cancelled, mostly because the Saudi government threatened to stop them leaving the country if they didn't race...

[JimmyClark]

Last two races near Iran. I can see it happen Quatar and Abu Dahbi cancelend.
Would have a huge impact on the championship if they do not replace them with another race.

Hungary borders Ukraine and that hasn't been cancelled...

I think they will be fine, Iran isn't stupid enough to go into a full war (their regime will be over in a week if so), but even if it happens it will likely be very targeted and not a huge regional conflagration.

[PayasYouRace]

Didn’t think Iran would be attacking Qatar or the UAE.

Though I’d take any excuse to have the final two races at Portimao and Jerez.

[SenorSjon]

Hungary borders Ukraine and that hasn't been cancelled...

I think they will be fine, Iran isn't stupid enough to go into a full war (their regime will be over in a week if so), but even if it happens it will likely be very targeted and not a huge regional conflagration.

 

Ukraïne is a massive country with war mostly in the east of it. In the Middle-East, everyone seems to lob missiles to each other. You wouldn't want your freight liner with F1 cars shot down.

Edited by SenorSjon, 02 October 2024 - 09:00.

[JimmyClark]

Ukraïne is a massive country with war mostly in the east of it. In the Middle-East, everyone seems to lob missiles to each other. You wouldn't want your freight liner with F1 cars shot down.

 

Iran is even more massive, and there's water between it and Qatar/UAE. 

 

I also don't remember either of those countries 'lobbing missiles' at anyone in recent times... they just have no vested interest in getting directly involved. 

[Sash1]

Depending on what Israel will hit in Iran next, it could escalate well into a Gulf area problem. Between Iran backed Houthi Yemenites and Iran are the mentionted states and SA. We will see, it escalates further and further every week.

[LolaB0860]

Hungary borders Ukraine and that hasn't been cancelled...

I think they will be fine, Iran isn't stupid enough to go into a full war (their regime will be over in a week if so), but even if it happens it will likely be very targeted and not a huge regional conflagration.

 

Hungary is member of NATO, they will not get attacked in the fear of nuclear war. There are no such limitations in the Middle East. And also Budapest's proximity to Ukrainian warzones is greater than, say the continuous Red Sea and Yemen debacles are to Jeddah...

Edited by LolaB0860, 02 October 2024 - 13:49.

[PayasYouRace]

Hungary is member of NATO, they will not get attacked in the fear of nuclear war. There are no such limitations in the Middle East. And also Budapest's proximity to Ukrainian warzones is greater than, say the continuous Red Sea and Yemen debacles are to Jeddah...

Sorry, what’s the threat here? I mused a few posts ago but no I must press for an answer. What is Iran’s beef with fellow Muslim counties Qatar and the UAE?

[JimmyClark]

Hungary is member of NATO, they will not get attacked in the fear of nuclear war. There are no such limitations in the Middle East. And also Budapest's proximity to Ukrainian warzones is greater than, say the continuous Red Sea and Yemen debacles are to Jeddah...

And F1 still raced in Jeddah on the weekend there was an attack 10 miles away...

Those races will happen.

[Goron3]

We raced in Qatar the week that the terror group they protect unleashed a terror attack on Israel, triggering the current war. There is no way that the end of year calendar changes.

[Goron3]

Sorry, what’s the threat here? I mused a few posts ago but no I must press for an answer. What is Iran’s beef with fellow Muslim counties Qatar and the UAE?

All the terrorist groups in the ME are funded predominantly by the current Iranian regime. The Houthi's, Hamas and Hezbollah. Qatar quietly protects members of those groups (the billionaires that rule groups like Hamas live very rich lives in Qatar).

Meanwhile, countries like UAE and even Saudi (for all its faults) have banned members and sponsors of those groups.

The UAE for years has tried to become more in touch with the West. Saudi is trying to do the same. Iran believe in the complete opposite.

[FNG]

LOL I come to the one place that I thought I could escape hearing about  Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.

[Goron3]

LOL I come to the one place that I thought I could escape hearing about Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Ha, sorry mate.

On a more racing note...

Do we know which events next year are Sprint races? It feels very odd that this year we have six races, three of which are Sprints, packed together at the end of the year.

[Ruusperi]

Ha, sorry mate.

On a more racing note...

Do we know which events next year are Sprint races? It feels very odd that this year we have six races, three of which are Sprints, packed together at the end of the year.

Wikipedia is your friend https://en.wikipedia...onship#Calendar

The Chinese, Miami, Belgian, United States, São Paulo and Qatar Grands Prix are scheduled to utilise the sprint format

 

 

[Clatter]

Ha, sorry mate.

On a more racing note...

Do we know which events next year are Sprint races? It feels very odd that this year we have six races, three of which are Sprints, packed together at the end of the year.

As the promoter has to pay to host a sprint (even F1 doesn't call it a race), it should be no surprise that they go where the money is.

[SenorSjon]

Didn't we have very poor Spa Sprints before?

[JimmyClark]

Didn't we have very poor Spa Sprints before?

 

Yeah, sprints are rubbish on longer tracks, especially for the fans, given how few laps there are.