Category: Race Tracks

Race Track News and Features (F1 related)

Indianapolis plays down F1 return possibility

After Bernie Ecclestone hinted in Bahrain that a return to Indianapolis might be on the cards in the near future, Indianapolis Speedway are playing down the claims.

A spokesman for the circuit commented to the Indianapolis Business Journal, “We continue to have dialogue with Formula 1 and we’ve long maintained we are interested in hosting their events.”

Donington Park fails to find a buyer

Donington Park race track has failed to find a buyer. Administrators for the circuit had been trying to find a buyer after the previous leaseholder, Donington Ventures Leisure Limited, went bust in November with debts of £20 million.

Abu Dhabi hope to change race date

Abu Dhabi race circuitAbu Dhabi are hoping to change the date of the 2010 race so that they once again hold the season finale.

The race is scheduled to take place on 31 October 2010, with the final race of the season taking place on 14 November in Brazil. However Abu Dhabi are hoping to change these positions and therefore hold the final race of the 2010 season.

British Grand Prix to be saved

Silverstone race trackThe British Grand Prix looks to have been saved after Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to forgo fees of £60 million.

According to British newspaper The Times, a £300 million deal saving the British Grand Prix is set to be announced today by Damon Hill.

New French track plans scrapped

Plans for the French Grand Prix to return to the F1 calendar have received a blow after plans for a new F1 track were scrapped.

The pressure’s on for Silverstone and the 2010 British Grand Prix

Bernie Ecclestone has warned that he is ready to remove the British Grand Prix from the 2010 F1 calendar if Silverstone are unable to secure the contracts that they need.

2009 Belgian Grand Prix records a financial loss

According to the latest reports, the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, lost money.

Spa has already been in the wars this year thanks to a local court ruling suspending the track’s license until 2026 over concerns over noise levels from the track. Race organisers have also said they are contemplating alternating the F1 race with the Nurburgring until the end of the current contract in 2012.

Spa-Francorchamps F1 Future in Doubt

The future of Spa-Francorchamps on the F1 racing calendar is in serious jeopardy after the news that the local Council of State has decided to suspend the track’s license until 2026.

The news comes a blow as it remains a favourite of many fans and drivers alike.

Minor changes to the Valencia track

Ahead of the European Grand Prix, Valencia race officials have overseen a number of safety modifications to the circuit. FIA officials listened to input from drivers following last season’s F1 race at the circuit and several changes have been made on the back of their comments.

No Grand Prix return for South Africa

Formula One will not be returning to South Africa after the province of Gauteng decided against bidding to host a Grand Prix.

Earlier in the year reports had suggested that the Gauteng Motor Sport Company, established by the provincial government, had enlisted the services of an independent analyst to perform an economic-impact study on the region.