TBK-Light.com :: 2012 Random F1 Discussion

Ecclestone confirms F1’s return to France

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed to L’Équipe that the French Grand Prix will be returning to Formula 1 from 2013 onwards. The race, to be staged at Paul Ricard for the first time since 1990, will be alternating with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

Although Ecclestone was engulfed by the politics surrounding the Bahrain Grand Prix at the weekend, the French publication was able to quiz the head of FOM over the French race deal, which has now been formalised. The only process remaining is for F1 governing body the FIA to officially ratify the circuit for safety standards.

“The deal is done,” Ecclestone said. “We actually agreed on financial terms with the Sports Minister, David Douillet, in my office last Tuesday. We are still discussing a few points about money around the race: ‘You give me this, I want that’ and so on but, for me, there is no doubt that we will sort it all out.”

The deal verifies that Belgium’s popular Spa-Francorchamps will not be in F1 next year, but appearing sporadically in 2014, 2016 and so on; the Ardennes race has been making losses for several years and this avoids a complete departure from the calendar. France last hosted a Grand Prix when Felipe Massa won at Magny-Cours in 2008. Space must now be made in the schedule for the country’s return; the most likely solution is for Barcelona and Valencia to begin sharing the Spanish Grand Prix.

Author:	kals [ Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
There is a tunnel at Bahrain, I saw it going under the circuit around turn 7.

Author:	EAS [ Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Just heard the new Sauber sponsor probably is the american air company Jet Blue. EDIT: The owner of Jet Blue is Brazilian, and the same owner of the local air company "Azul" ("Blue" in English, coincidently). We might see "Azul" in the engine cover of Saubers at Brazilian GP.

Author:	cambridge [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
so basically this year we have ferrari, redbull, mclaren, mercedes, sauber and now Lotus too, all able to win races? This year the monaco gp will be absolutely a must to watch

Author:	Fabs [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
why monaco?

Author:	CoCo [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
cambridge wrote: so basically this year we have ferrari, redbull, mclaren, mercedes, sauber and now Lotus too, all able to win races? This year the monaco gp will be absolutely a must to watch maldonado will rape the field at monaco

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Author:	Fergo [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion

Author:	codename_47 [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Fabs wrote: why monaco? In 2002, the most boring season in recent memory, David Coulthard used a surprising strategy to win Monaco In 2004, the second most boring season in recent memory, Yarno Trulli used good qualifying speed and a good strategy to win Monaco So if Monaco can be that surprising in the worst years of F1 then imagine how wacky it could get this year with various cars tyres going off at different times and various trains developing. 2005 will have nothing on this I imagine. Hell, last year we were only 1 Sutil wall scrape away from a 3 way battle for the lead for the last 6 laps or so...that would've blown 1992 out of the water where epic Monaco finishes were concerned if we didn't get the late red flag!

Author:	bigears [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Ohh, that blasted tyre rule after the red flag. It definitely stole a grandstand finish from the fans. I was so frustrated at the time as I was enjoying the GP so much at the time.

Author:	Tobias [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Quote: Ecclestone confirms F1’s return to France Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed to L’Équipe that the French Grand Prix will be returning to Formula 1 from 2013 onwards. The race, to be staged at Paul Ricard for the first time since 1990, will be alternating with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Although Ecclestone was engulfed by the politics surrounding the Bahrain Grand Prix at the weekend, the French publication was able to quiz the head of FOM over the French race deal, which has now been formalised. The only process remaining is for F1 governing body the FIA to officially ratify the circuit for safety standards. “The deal is done,” Ecclestone said. “We actually agreed on financial terms with the Sports Minister, David Douillet, in my office last Tuesday. We are still discussing a few points about money around the race: ‘You give me this, I want that’ and so on but, for me, there is no doubt that we will sort it all out.” The deal verifies that Belgium’s popular Spa-Francorchamps will not be in F1 next year, but appearing sporadically in 2014, 2016 and so on; the Ardennes race has been making losses for several years and this avoids a complete departure from the calendar. France last hosted a Grand Prix when Felipe Massa won at Magny-Cours in 2008. Space must now be made in the schedule for the country’s return; the most likely solution is for Barcelona and Valencia to begin sharing the Spanish Grand Prix.

Author:	kals [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
I just hope they use the full Mistral straight (no chicanes)

Author:	ryan86 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
I would think Paul Ricard in September would be OK. Late summer on the riviera etc, etc. Means minimum disruption to the calender as well.

Author:	kals [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Calendar should be... France>>>Britain>>>Germany>>>Hungary For no other reason than posterity.

Author:	phil1993 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
kals wrote: Calendar should be... France>>>Britain>>>Germany>>>Hungary For no other reason than posterity. And Spa should ALWAYS be before Monza. When they switched it around a few years ago that left me completely confused.

Author:	StanV [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Meh. (yes, being Belgian and all that + the fact that I hate Paul Ricard)

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Author:	Fabs [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Fuck you France, go away with your crappy tracks. I hope Francois Hollande decides to turn this decision around.

Author:	Mattzel89 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Spa is one of the few F1 tracks left where you can walk around, have amazing viewing spots even with bronze tickets only and get really close to the cars at some turns, so this really sucks. Hell is going to freeze over before I pay to watch F1 in Hockenheim or the Nürburgring.

Author:	phil1993 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Fabs wrote: Fuck you France, go away with your crappy tracks. I hope Francois Hollande decides to turn this decision around. It's either France/Belgium or no Belgium at all. It sucks but that's the way it is It's why I desperately want to get to Spa this year before we lose it.

Author:	Fabs [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
No Belgium at all ? Every year you don't run the GP in Spa, several local businesses suffer. When you alternate, you might as well scrap it.

Author:	kals [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Ah yes, what a sensible attitude. One GP every other year is a much worse proposal than no GP at all.

Author:	phil1993 [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 2012 Random F1 Discussion
Fabs wrote: No Belgium at all ? Every year you don't run the GP in Spa, several local businesses suffer. No shit. The problem is there's not enough money circulating around the GP when you have several countries pumping unsustainable amounts of money into the race. I'd rather a race biannually at Spa than not at all, although I don't know if it'll work. We can all see what that concept has done to the increasingly crippled Nurburgring and Hockenheim.