Ciro Pabón wrote:I read it in a different way. There are only 24 tracks certified for F1 races (as of 2006). Throw in the 2 or 3 new tracks, take in account that some tracks are owned or have strong relationships with Ecclestone and we could have a "track updating" frenzy in the next months. For example, Paul Ricard is owned by him, fat chance to see it in a FOTA series calendar (altough you never know, but...).
An alternative is to say (as usual): "what the heck, those cars can run anywhere". I think that this attitude is what has given us a series that has no overtaking (no offense intended, noname).
Besides, a track is much more than an asphalt ribbon. From parking to disabled persons access, from truck parking areas to modern restrooms, many tracks with "great history" are not up to the challenge.
Now, if you say you can do it with "temporary" tracks, try to find a promoter: those tracks, like Albert Park, Valencia or Gilles Villeneuve, are a waste of money and a permanent source of complains by neighboors. No temporary track makes money that I know. I guess that Gilles Villenuve promoters could have built the best track in the world with the money they spent in putting together and dismantling the thing for decades.
I would love for FOTA to take a different approach and spend a few bucks in XXIth century tracks, not only in the cars. The cars are not "the problem", I believe (but I'm a lonely voice in the "overtaking threads").
no problem. I have not checked who owns Paul Ricard, my fault.
I see your point and agree with it. but we should not forget it is mid 2009. there is a lot to do to start new series so, as far as the tracks are concerned, the best option for 2010 I see to stay with what we already have. updating tracks' facilities will take time and, most important, money. I see it as a difficult task to convince tracks' owners to invest money in their tracks when nobody could promise them new project would be successful.
do not make me wrong but I think that first and foremost track is an "asphalt ribbon". parking lots, media centers, pits, grand stands, etc. are important and it would be great to have them upgraded but one should not forget there may be 100.000+ people watching race on the track but tens of millions in front of TV sets... to get money on tracks updates first you have to give the great show to the bigger audience.
we've seen introduction of quite a few tracks in recent years, with top-class facilities, but they have not produced great races. I suppose Bernie was glad as he and his VIPs could have drinks and parties in luxury saloons but I am rather more interested in seeing thrilling races. on the other hand if you look at MotoGP races in Jerez or Mugello. I do not know how those tracks' surroundings look like, they are probably below Bernie's standard, but every year you can see full grandstand. I see two main explanations: great races and tickets in affordable price. in contrary Turkey's grandstand were empty and Bernie did not thought it's due expensive tickets.
as for the overtaking I see the cars as the main, but not the only one, issue. we had great races in the past on the same tracks we have now. tracks have not changed (at least not much), cars have... ok, there is separate thread so enough with this here.
to summarize - few things should be changed compared with current F1 but one should not expect all can be done at once. do it step by step and in the right order. of course there is always the question what does it mean right order
regards
