Would a Formula 1 GP in Nepal be a good idea?

Question

The idea would be that the track would be on a high-up plateau where track temperature would be about 10 degrees C and air temperature 6 degrees C. This type of track would be most challenging for the engineers for the following reasons

1. Cold temperatures would require engineers to come up clever methods of maintaining heat in the tyres and brakes

2. The engineers would also be challenged with the thin air which, although makes aerodynamics less important, would also mean far less downforce, and the engineers would need to increase the concentration of oxygen in the engine's air supply to ensure the engines sufficiently work.

I think there is already tourism to Nepal so there is a market there and it could probably imporve the economy of Nepal. I just find the idea of a Grand Prix at high altitude fascinating from and engineering standpoint for the unique conditions at the track.

Anyone got any opinions on this?

Answer 1

Nepal doesn't have any sporting history of any sort (mountaineering, yes), let alone F1 motor-racing.... F1 today is mainly run by commercial interests and not by any sporting challenge. There are 'n' number of countries that can provide similar conditions but have rich motor-racing heritage...Finland or Sweden for example.

Tracks like the A1 Ring in Austria and Spa Francorchamps in Belgium already are high up in the mountains in Europe, where the air is thin and the temperatures are low, and, have hosted F1 many times.

At these circuits the engines are down on power by around 6-10% than tracks at sea-level. This is the case for all teams, and basically its a walk in the park for them to tune their engines to cater to the thin air. Same for cold temperatures....circuits like Silverstone, again Spa, Nurburgring are all quite chilly, especially when it rains. F1 engineers routinely test at Silverstone during the winter when its basically freezing and snowing in England and so cold again is not something new to them.

Answer 2

it would certainly bring a revenue to the Nepalese, but I'm sure China would take most of it. There are too many restrictions in Nepal to make a track there possible and the people there really don't live the life that would make it viable. they are mainly simple folk who IMO would not really be interested in F1. that being the case Bernie would then have to cater for his corporate buddies and us 'commoners' would be forgotten again.

saying that a track up Mount Everest might be quite cool. the drivers would have to wear oxygen masks and their drinks would freeze. they could do it after the 3 week break so the drivers could go over early and acclimatise......

Answer 3

I do not think it is a good idea. New venues require a high demand of tickets and I don´t think there is a market for it.

For a high altitude GP there is Mexico City. 2,400 m above sea level.

A track used during the 60´s early 70´s, and then the 80´s and early 90´s    Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.  Mexico city urban area has 20 million habitants. There is a huge market in motorsports.

Answer 4

If you want high altitude then F1 should go back to Kyalami rather than jetting off to yet another country with no history in F1. Also it would rather condone what China is up to in Nepal if F1 went there, and I'm not sure that would be in F1's interests.