It would be nice to have a definitive calendar for 2013 before we start speculating about what happens in 2014 when, in theory at least, there will be two new races on the F1 calendar in the form of New Jersey and Sochi, on the Russian Riviera. The mayor of the city Anatoly Pakhomov has now told reporters in Moscow that the race will be held in November 2014. According to the mayor and the latest photographs from the site, the work is going well and all construction will be ready before the Olympic Games in February 2014. The organizers have strenuously denied repeated reports of delays. The contract that exists calls for a seven-year deal between 2014 and 2020.
The problem with all this is the weather with, according to historical averages, drops from around 15-degree C highs to 4-degree C lows at the end of October to seven-degree C highs and minus one degree C lows at the end of the month. The temperature has dropped as low as minus five degrees C in the past. While it is possible to run races in such conditions, it is hardly desirable, particularly when Formula 1 wants to have large viewing figured at the end of its championship and so would prefer to be in Brazil at that time of year, to maximise the number of live viewers at prime times in Europe. The calendar for the last few years has been one that pops backwards and forwards to Asia is the autumn months before the swing down to Brazil (with Austin being popped in this year).
If New Jersey fails to happen one can see Austin moving to June (although that would be blazingly hot in Texas) with Sochi joining the calendar after India and Abu Dhabi.
However, te’s sort out 2013 before we start fiddling with 2014…
I always thought the Russian GP would fit in next to Bahrain and just before coming back to Europe, to get those warmer temperatures. But in some recent years, Bahrain has been backed with China. Perhaps there is no space there, or Russia can’t prepare the circuit in time after the winter Olympics? New Jersey fits in backed with Canada and replaces the gap left by Valencia mid-season. Maybe if some European races went back to back this could all fit together? There definitely isn’t space in the end of season run-in that’s for sure!
The only alternative I can think of is placing the Russian GP near to the Hungarian GP, perhaps moving the British and German GPs closer together in future. It does look like other European races are out of the question now so this area of the calendar is not likely to grow in future, more survive and be squeezed by new races. The calendar looks healthy with these new additions and it’s hard to see more races coming in. But you never know with Bernie.. He’ll definitely want to keep the existing races on their toes or their negotiating position may be strengthened. If we don’t have Bernie, then I don’t know what would happen next going forwards calendar wise.
i’m having an internal debate on what would be more unpleasant, austin in june or sochi in november. from an on-site spectator point-of-view, those dates should be reversed.
Could it not drop in on route to Korea/Japan in October?
Please no Austin in June. I was in Dallas in ’84. Not fun. Just ask Mansell.
One comment, one quasi-question:
I have been in Texas my whole life. An Austin GP would be a disaster. It’s too hot.
And, I was not aware there were any worries of New Jersey failing?
Austin in summer would be a disaster. It’s too hot.
Also, I was not aware of any fears New Jersey would fail?
HI Joe,
With regards to New Jersey, what is that likelihood of that happening at all following the hurricane disaster of late last year?
i live in brooklyn. the area where the race is to be held is fine. there should be no direct affects of hurricane sandy to stand in the way of the race.
Cheers Stan,
Much appreciated.
The Texan summer is mental. Plenty of folks got burned this yearin the November sun; June would be atrocious.
I’ve lived in Austin since 1968 and let me tell you, it’s hot in June here. I would be hotter in July or August too.
If the Russian race did happen in November, I’d love to see Pirelli bring some studded tyres
Seconded
Austin in June would be just about the worst thing ever. I agree with stan: flip those dates. Sochi in June and Austin in November.
Could one infer from this, that you think New Jersey dropping off the calendar ist likely to happen?
I was at the Canadian GP in 1978 where it was 5C or 6C. Not a fun experience.
Oh come on: that was Gilles Villeneuve’s maiden win, on home soil, in a Ferrari no less! I remember getting chills (so to speak) reading about it three months later in Road & Track. Cold yes, but the atmosphere must have been electrifying too.
Sounds like work on the Sochi track is going well, but not well enough to have the race at an appropriate time of the year, ie summer.
Very unsporty to have the tire compounds and now even race events open when starting the season.
I can remember a race in the snow at Brands, but this is really stupid.
We already have the time of races being bent by floodlighting, to suit tv audiences, is the track to be heated in order to force the seasons to Bernie’s will?
Are winter tyres in order? They are all the rage on road cars now. Will Pirelli have extra deep chunky treads with studs or perhaps there will be an extra pit stop to fit chains?
So, reading what’s not written, no confirmed Russian GP.
Maybe Bernie / CVC are happy with their break up fees.
Not much that is on a F1 car that can rust, but to add to the cold, sea breezes, salt and and humidity. (near in mind the sea does make for quite a temperate climate there, so if you check say weather undrerground they tend to aggregate the Oblast / regional stats) I’m having visions of Putin posing torso naked in a F1 car in the snow now . . oh, dear .. not my cup of tea, but I’d have to giggle if they did that.
I would have killed for a late season Sochi GP. Tons of hiking and such like to be done nearby. Picturesque alpine beauty of flora and fauna. Very passable rail links for a few days’ journey through to Petersburg in prime season, back home via Stockholm. How can they not sell that? This was the one new GP I planned to make a real holiday of.
I’ll settle for 2014, though, if they only make their mind up. I mean really, there’s no calendar entry, so why fret? Is some local Mayoral connexion on the hook for a kickback?
Unrelated but timely question: why do F1 drivers skip the Daytona 24 Hours? Do contracts forbid it? Contract obligations don’t seem to stop drivers from other disciplines?
Lack of interest?
Which is a shame really.
Joe would obviously know better than me – but I had thought there tended to be contractual limitations on what drivers could do. And while you can goof off mountain biking without getting caught (provided you don’t land on your shoulder…), it’s hard to take part in a well-publicised motor race without someone noticing.
Some teams have restrictions. Some do not.
Sochi in November? If true, then I can imagine “no grip!” reports from a Certain Driver during the entire weekend!
It would be good for that one driver with a few years of WRC experience though!
Just as well Valencia isn’t on the calendar – it seems most of the infrastructure has been/is being nicked as we speak!
Also on the 2014 calendar, what’s going with Mexico? Isn’t there supposed to be an agreement for that?
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It is not that hot in June in Texas. It is usually only in the nineties and the evening reasonable (OK I have lived in Texas a long time and ninety is not bad). However due to the unpredictable nature of May through June weather you would need storm shelter for 100,000 people which is just not possible. No one would like to expierence a Severe Texas Thunderstorm (way worse than 90 degrees) in the open or under a metal bleacher.