Reports suggest three venues might miss out in 2012 Formula 1 season – Formula 1 news
Brazilian media report suggests that there are three races on the 2012 Formula 1 calendar year, which are not going to make the cut for a Grand Prix hosting.
Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo has reported the story. They reported that the events scheduled in Korea, United States and Bahrain are going to be discussed during the Formula 1 commission meeting on Thursday in Geneva.
Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio has said that there are question marks over the Austin, Texas venue after reports of a New York based circuit have come in.
This year 20 races were scheduled but only 19 are going take place as Bahrain has been abandoned due to civil unrest in the country. 2012 is also scheduled for 20 races although Korea and Bahrain still have some ambiguity over their availability for the
Grand Prix, as Bahrain’s inclusion will depend on their situation of the country’s civil unrest.
Korea is hesitating to pay the hosting fee, and has raised quite a few issues over the terms and conditions of their contract with Formula 1 management and has asked F 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to give them some leverage in the hosting fee.
Ecclestone talked about their situation and said, “It took us long enough to negotiate with them in the first place, it was strange. That was a disappointment because it was a big enough effort to get it on in the first place.”
Over the years, there have been new additions to the venues for Grand Prix events, India being the latest addition. In the United States Austin, Texas will be hosting a Grand Prix in the 2012 season, and New Jersey will see a street race circuit built and
has been announced for the 2013 season of Formula 1.
McLaren and FOTA chief Martin Whitmarsh confirmed there are “some question marks” about some of next year’s scheduled events.
“I think 20 races and a lot of flyaways are pretty hard on the team and I think we are at tipping point,” he said. “You are getting close to the point where you do need to alternate. It’s the NASCAR approach where you alternate crews.”
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has also shown concerns over the scheduling of future seasons. He stated although new venues are good for the sport, but management of those venues and historical ones should be kept in check to keep the fans attracted
to the sport.
It remains to be seen though how it all pans out when the Formula 1 officials announce the final itinerary for 2012.
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