I think the decision by Merc goes along the lines of choosing their battles. It was only a couple points, and Michael doesn't have much of a chance to win the championship this year. Sooooo, they'll wait till next time to raise a big stink about it.

If he were in P2 and passed for the win and they did this or was in the top three of the championship, I'd completely understand them appealing because every point counts.

 

They could easily resolve issues like these--prevent them, actually. Race cars used to have 2 seats, and they just need to revive that...second seat's for the lawyer, of course.

Here's an interesting article:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/180520...cher-fans.html

Looks like Alonso totaled his car. Wonder if his insurance will go up:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/190520...n-ferrari.html

 

Check this story out....

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100520/F1/100529970

And I was just there on Monday...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMOxoXiiPQ

 

Wow--never heard of the place before, but it's gorgeous! Sure beats a street course any day!

Guess those rules aren't so "clear" after all--now, FIA, how 'bout being fair about the penalty:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/200520...s-amended.html

 

Here's some interesting news that I came across concerning a contender for the future site of the USGP...

F1: Monticello In Bid For US GP

The Monticello Circuit in New York State has surfaced as a potential host of the United States Grand Prix...

Adam Cooper | GMM Newswire | Posted May 21, 2010 Balen (BEL)


The Monticello Circuit in New York State, described as a "country club" for wealthy car enthusiasts, is the latest venue to emerge as a possible future host of the US GP.

Autoweek magazine obtained a copy of a letter sent by Ari Strauss, the boss of Monticello Motor Club, to his members. It explains the thinking behind a possible deal, following recent dialogue with Bernie Ecclestone, and says that help has been sought from local and state authorities.

Opened in the summer of 2008 with a display by Mario Andretti in a Lotus 79, the 4.1-mile track was co-designed by Brian Redman. Apparently it has already been visited by Hermann Tilke, whose role was to pinpoint what might need upgrading for F1.

The rural setting of Monticello at the foot of the Catskill Mountains doesn’t really fit with what Ecclestone has been looking for, as it's no secret that he wants a race in or around an major city. However, the venue is said to be 90 minutes from Manhattan by road, and as such is the closest track to the city. The fact that it's also a 25-minute helicopter ride will be of interest, at least to VIPs.

Club members pay $125,000 to join, plus an annual fee. The membership list includes Jeff Gordon, Jerry Seinfield and some of NYC's wealthiest inhabitants.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear member,

Within the next day, you may read that Formula One is planning a return to the United States and has their sights on a special location in New York: Monticello Motor Club.

A few months ago, [MMC chairman] Bill McMichael and I met with Bernie Ecclestone, President/CEO of Formula One Management (FOM), and discussed the terms for an exclusive 10-year United States Grand Prix to be hosted at MMC. Shortly thereafter, Hermann Tilke, the chief engineer and circuit designer for F1, spent time at MMC and confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a Grand Prix. Since receiving a letter of understanding from FOM confirming their hope to bring the U.S. Grand Prix to Monticello, Bill and I have continued to secure the backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organizations.

If F1 comes to Monticello, our intent is to preserve MMC as, first and foremost, a private country club. Obviously, demand will accelerate as well as the initiation fee for new members. But securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal. While the prospect of F1 at MMC is exciting, we remain focused on our core business: the club and its members.

At this juncture, we are simply honored that F1 is considering our venue as the future, exclusive home for the U.S. Grand Prix. It would transform the region into one of the motorsports capitals of the world, bring thousands of jobs to Sullivan County, inject over $100M each year into the local economy, and place your private club in the company of famous racing circuits like Monza and Spa.

Warmest regards,

Ari


Though this venue holds promise and it is a road course, I'm not really sold on the idea. Call me old school but why not an already established professional circuit, like Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, etc. ?

I guess that $$$ is the hold-up as these circuits would have to make improvements (but then again wouldn't Monticello?) to meet Bernie's criteria of what a proper F1 venue should be.

Yet, if this is the only option available other than IMS or worse yet a street circuit then I guess I should not complain too loudly...

What do you all think?

 

Take them back to the Glen!

 

+1

In looking at Montecello: By F1 standards, no run off areas, no pits, no grandstands, narrow track. By the time all of those are done, several millions of dollars will have gone by.

I also sincerely doubt the Sullivan County Airport can handle the air traffic. Small commuter flights only.

 

Huh??.....Sorry Sabre, I beat ya to that story by about 13 hours.... See post #305... (just had to rub it in! )

 

I agree with you about the physical attributes of MMC......a whole boat load of money will have to be spent to bring it up to F1 specs but that's what investors will be doing if this deal ever was done. But I doubt it will happen. Would be cool tho with it only 90 miles from me! I also would love to see it at WGI again but Bernie wants it near NYC and this is the best alternative he's gotten so far. If you watch that video link I put up you'll see not a one building has been erected there yet. I believe the club has been under some financial stress at some level which probably is why "Driving Clubs" have been invited now to run there now in what was suppose to be a upscale "members only" club. In that areial view you see in the article there is a white building at the top of the paved lot.....it was a huge temporary building last year which for this year is replaced with a much smaller one and construction has started on the "event" paddock building. The members paddock and condos still are not built.

Stewart International Airport is the airport that is refrenced in the article, not Sullivan County Airport although it's not a 10 minute drive away. More like 30 minutes drive time - maybe 10 minutes by helicopter!

 

Beaten by 13 hours! Oh the pain... the pain.

I was so into the article I found that I never looked to see that you had beaten me to the punch!

Remind me never to get into a quick-draw contest with you!

Btw S-Driver, enjoyed your video of Monticello. Thanks for taking us for a ride along with you!

 

 

Here's a question for everyone.

What is the best new track that has been added to the calendar in the last five years. We all kind of complain about the cookie-cutter Tilke tracks. Which ones have been decent?

I like Turkey. The Turn 8 is cool and it's provided some good racing.

I also liked Fuji, even though it wasn't technically new. It provided some good racing also.

Thoughts? What are the ones you like?

 

Austin!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Austin!

Austin Texas to host the United States Grand Prix

GMM Newswire, Austin TX, May 25, 2010

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: “For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success.

I will wait and reserve judgement on Austin until I see a track plan for this "purpose built" circuit.

I guess I'm just old school and would rather see the USGP hosted at an already established circuit. Yet if the promoter/developer does it right then I will gladly embrace Austin as the new home of the USGP.

Hey Deb, this is great news for you as the circuit would be in your back yard!

 

I find myself feeling rather lukewarm concerning today's GP circuits. They seem rather antiseptic and lacking in character. Guess I'm just too enamored of the traditional GP venues.

If I had to pick one I would have to give Barcelona my vote. Having been there and ridden around the circuit I can say that it is very challenging with its elevation changes and corners.

I'm not a fan of the Tilke designed circuits but I have to give a nod of the helmet to Turkey and it's daunting T-8!

Fuji is interesting but I prefer the Suzuka circuit, fast and technical and a blast to watch when it rains. I remember watching Eddie Irvine (Jordan) unlap himself against Aryton Senna (McLaren) in the 1993 Japanese GP and of course who can forget the Senna v. Prost incidents at Suzuka!

 

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Austin is a pretty cool town, and as long as they don't do much of a Tilke pos, it should all be good! And best of all, I have a place to stay there, and free flights!

 

F***!!! How did you beat me to it by 2 hours?!?!?!

I'm fine with going to TX, as long as it's a good track. I'm curious to see if F1 will be bigger in Texas also. I'm thinking something like a 5 mile length and 210mph+ top speeds would work for me. Kind of a hybrid between Spa and Monza!!!

 

I'll see you there, Gromit! Just a short 12 hour drive for us, and my brother is moving there this summer! (unless Lance drops out of the TdF, then all bets are off)

 

Just found out, a completely private venture. I'll bet these guys had a track design in their pockets since Indy lost the race.

Smart money is placing it west of Austin.

 

Yeah, it's fantabulous news--would be a little more fantabulous if we were planning to live in Texas in 2012, but... We're planning to move to Little Rock, but it's not much more of a drive, maybe 500 miles (instead of 180). Whole lot closer than New York, at any rate.

Like you, I'll reserve judgement 'til ribbon cutting...

 

It'll be like Magney Cours....flat! Maybe with a little dip here and there....but flat.

 

Flat??? In Hill Country???

Are you familiar with the area around Austin (or any part of Texas)? I don't know where it'll be, of course, but there's some serious motoring 'round those parts, especially if it's near Travis.

 

Deb, I think hills that we're used to aren't the same as hills that folks in the Apps and Rockies are used to. But yeah, there should be some elevation change...at least one would hope.

Also read an article that Cypher Group is talking about making their home base in Austin, since it was announced. I have no idea what kind of infrastructure is already in place for an F1 team to utilize in Austin (wind tunnels, composites, etc). I know St. Louis would at least have Boeing, which would have all kinds of resources. But I agree that it will help with the image of a "home team". As opposed to placing a rinky-dink F1 team smack dab in the middle of Nascar country, where all the locals can think about is putting 44"Super Swampers and 6ft. CB whips on anything with wheels.

The worst thing about Texas is that they want to shoot anything that moves.....and that's not even a bad thing. If Illinois had a Carry Law, crime would drop like a stone. Deb knows what I'm talking about. What kind of heat do you pack when you cruise around in Zippee?

 

Boy there's not a doubt that we are a competitive group!

 

Heat? Well, I open the sunroof when it's under 75°. I don't mind hunting weapons, but handguns? Melt 'em! There's no lack of crime in Texas. Don't forget, we have 2 of the Top-10 U.S. cities, 14 LEGAL border crossings, and some 600 miles of "other" crossings--all the better to funnel the drugs north, amigo.

As for wind tunnels and such, I'm not sure how much Australia, Istanbul, or any of those other tracks offer in that department. I think that's pretty much up to the team's home base. Boeing? Help out Bernie's boys? Not likely. Austin IS home to quite a large software and computer industry, though.

Nascrap? Well, that's true of any of the U.S. now!