Which F1 course to be dropped?

[in_d_haus]

So with the other thread about a F1 course to be dropped to allow Shanghai what do you think will go by the wayside?

Silverstone? Spa? or ????

[PhilH]

When they thought that there might be a Russian/Moscow GP, there were rumors that either Germany or Italy would lose one of their two GPs.

Italy has both Monza and Imola (OK...officially Imola is in San Marino). Germany has both the Nurburgring and Hockenheim. At least this solution doesn't piss off an entire country for losing their only GP.

:dunno:

[TranceLvr]

I thought they had worked out the SPA problem?

[TranceLvr]

Guess this answers the question :bawling: :mad:

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F1-Belgian Grand Prix set to be axed

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Next year's Belgian Grand Prix is set to be scrubbed off the Formula One calendar in a row over restrictions on tobacco advertising, team sources have said.

The sources told Reuters that team bosses had decided at a meeting on Thursday not to go to Spa Francorchamps next year after the Belgian government said tobacco sponsorship would be banned in August 2003 before the grand prix.

The team chiefs were holding further discussions with International Automobile Federation (FIA) officials before a meeting of the Formula One Commission on Monday.

The decision on Spa, which would reduce the championship from 17 to 16 races, must be approved formally at Monday's meeting in the presence of FIA president Max Mosley and the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

An FIA spokesman could not confirm any decision on Spa and said it would be up to the Formula One Commission to decide, while an official at the circuit told Reuters: "There's been no official decision, therefore we can't comment."

Spa was included provisionally on the 2003 calendar dependent on a unanimous agreement by the teams to take part in the race without tobacco sponsorship.

Five F1 teams -- world champions Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Jordan and British American Racing -- have tobacco sponsorship.

PHASE OUT

Formula One have agreed to phase out all sponsorship by tobacco companies in 2006 in line with a global embargo planned by the World Health Organisation.

Several European countries, including Britain which passed legislation on a ban on tobacco advertising on Monday, have agreed to give a special dispensation to the sport until 2006.

The lack of a similar exemption from the Belgian government, despite the grand prix generating an estimated 25 million euros ($24.41 million) a year for the local economy, has annoyed Ecclestone and Mosley.

Spa is one of Formula One's great tracks, having hosted 36 Belgian Grands Prix and ranking as world champion Michael Schumacher's favourite circuit.

But it has been suggested that organisers have not done enough to keep pace with modern technology and Williams driver Ralf Schumacher said last week he would not miss the track if it was to disappear from the calendar.

With no substitute venues, it may be that the championship will revert back from 17 grands prix to the 16-race season that existed before 2000.

Two new races, China and Bahrain, will be added to the calendar in 2004 so if the Belgian Grand Prix is struck off for next year, it is unlikely to return.

[PhilH]

Originally posted by TranceLvr
Formula One have agreed to phase out all sponsorship by tobacco companies in 2006 in line with a global embargo planned by the World Health Organisation.

Several European countries, including Britain which passed legislation on a ban on tobacco advertising on Monday, have agreed to give a special dispensation to the sport until 2006.

The lack of a similar exemption from the Belgian government, despite the grand prix generating an estimated 25 million euros ($24.41 million) a year for the local economy, has annoyed Ecclestone and Mosley.
I'm not sure I understand the problem. Doesn't Germany also currently have a ban on tobacco advertising? The "Lucky Strike" cars run around with "Look Alike" on them at a couple circuits during the season.

Why is Spa being singled out? :dunno:

Also, I guess this means Spa should be back on the schedule in 2006.

[cenotaph]

Originally posted by PhilH


Also, I guess this means Spa should be back on the schedule in 2006.

Not with FIA wanting to add GPs outside of Europe to bring in more TV/advertising/sponsor money. If Spa goes away, and they add even one more race it probably won't come back. At least not before removing another European track.

[SteveT]

Many of the teams are still dependent on cigarette money, so Spa is going to get the axe if special consideration isn't given. It's a shame that a place as special as Spa will be off the calendar. Spa would be my first choice European circuit to attend for the race.