People do report the strangest things, without thinking about what they are writing. A story emerged in recent days, suggesting that the inaugural Abu Dhabi GP will be replaced by Canada, because there is no money to finish the work in Abu Dhabi.
There are several flaws in the logic.
Abu Dhabi is one of the richest countries in the world, with money coming out of the ground in the form of oil. Lots of it. Oil prices have fallen and some of the foreign investors in Abu Dhabi have had to suspend projects because of the lack of liquidity in international banking, but the problem is nothing compared to what is happening in nearby Dubai. Abu Dhabi has vast financial and energy reserves and government-funded programmes to develop a much more diversified economy. This includes tourism. The F1 project is a key element in this strategy and if work has fallen behind the government will certainly throw money at the problem to get things finished on time.
The organisers have denied any problems and have put tickets for the race on sale.
The idea that the race would be replaced by Montreal was never very credible. The average temperature in the city in November is around 5-deg C and it is regularly below freezing. It rains a great deal and snow is not unusual. The St Lawrence River can be much colder than the surrounding land because of wind that whips in from the Atlantic.
It is not the time of year to expect anyone to go out onto the windy island in the St Lawrence River and sit in a grandstand for several hours. The race has failed to make money in June, despite huge crowds at the venue. Without those crowds the event would be a financial disaster for Montreal and there is no promoter who would even attempt that idea without government money. No politician in Canada is going to get involved in such an idea as the purpose of the F1 race is to attract business and tourism, not to drive it away.
Those with long memories will remember that the Canadian GP used to take place in September but was moved to June because the weather was too cold… So two months further into the winter is not really going to help, is it?
Good call, Joe. Never mind the fans, can you imagine trying to get heat into the tires?
Good points. But one article I read did say the Montreal race would be earlier in the year and not in November. It also stated that the project was simply “behind schedule” and not because of a lack of finance. However I agree with you and I think the article I read had made sure the wording was done so it could be a credible rumour rathern than reporting actual facts.
I had read that it would potentially take place before Brazil. But this would make even less sense considering that would mean it would have to be a week before Brazil and a week after Japan, and although the teams have created some brilliant technology over the years, I don’t think they’ve come up with a method of teleportation yet.
Surely a more logical replacement would be Fuji considering it would be a week after Suzuka, if Abu Dhabi is indeed in trouble. Or even Dubai or Losail as they’re in the same area as AD. Even Algarve would make slightly more sense. But I guess they wouldn’t make a good story…
I’m looking forward to AD anyway. It looks like a great project. Interlagos has never really fitted well as season finale to me. I’m more used to it at the head of the calendar. Hopefully AD can become the traditional season finale over the next few years like Adelaide was.
But you have to wonder that if there were rumours about, say, Donington being behind schedule, Bernie would be straight onto the papers with his usual threats.
Having been in the UAE earlier in the month, I was very surprised to hear these stories, the local edition of F1 Racing magazine had pictures of the progress of the construction of grandstands and the laying of the track, none of which suggested it was behind schedule. Also with the Abu Dhabi government having paid quite a hefty fee to host the event, the idea of moving it to Canada makes little sense, especially considering there is a relatively new track down the road in Dubai capable of hosting the event.
Joe, I’ve just heard your 2nd interview with sidepodcast. Its really interesting stuff. I like the behind-the-scenes nature of the conversation and the straight forward, honest chat. I’d never heard of you or your publication before those sidepodcast chats (sorry) but now I regularly read your excellent blog.
Probably merely a pressure tactic to keep the Arabs upto speed. Set a schedule with a deadline in that region and the translated response you get is “Tomorrow, God-willing”.
Kyalami would have been a better red-herring weather-wise.
It was the Canadian weather that finally tipped Mr. Lauda into his first retirement in 1979. He woke up for practice, looked out of the hotel window, and told Mr. Ecclestone to keep his money, and bolted South.
I just had a vision of Murray Walker calling the final lap of an F1 race in the snow. On a dial of one to ten, that would be an eleven.
I think you are spot on Joe
I also thought how can they hold a GP in Montreal that late in the year, it would be so cold.
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Thank you