GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: cosworth151 on February 06, 2019, 12:28:06 AM
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Baku, Azerbaijan will remain on the F1 calendar through the 2023 season.
Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan minister of sport and youth, and Formula 1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey signed the new deal at the 2019 Conference on Benefits of Hosting Major Sports Events -- an event organized by the Baku City Circuit.
"We are very pleased to have renewed this agreement which will see the Azerbaijan Grand Prix feature on the FIA Formula 1 world championship calendar for many years to come," said Carey. "In just a short space of time, this race has become one of the most popular of the season, always producing closely fought and spectacular racing. The Republic of Azerbaijan provides a really excellent welcome to everyone in Formula 1, and the beautiful city of Baku is an amazing backdrop for the greatest motor racing show in the world."
https://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/f1-continue-racing-baku-through-2023
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"always producing closely fought and spectacular racing."
What would you know Carey, you're only a businessman!
"many years to come" ... it's only 5, if my maths are accurate? :DD
Is this now been solidified, as races like Miami didn't deliver the best cookies in the cookie jar? :D
Best Regards,
Cal :)
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To be fair, I do not mind the Baku Grand Prix, of all the new(er) ones it is one of the more interesting and the 2017 was a pretty exciting race!
However, I do find it frustrating that places like this get the red carpet treatment and races that have historic value are neglected and forced to react like they did publicly last week.
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However, I do find it frustrating that places like this get the red carpet treatment and races that have historic value are neglected and forced to react like they did publicly last week.
It's seems to be how all commerce is conducted now, there's no bonus for being a long term client/customer, all the good deals and news is about new business.
Having said that I quite like Baku now, it offers a couple of differences to all other tracks - the enormously long start/finish straight and the street track barriers, with high speed approaches to 90 degree turns, that catch out quite a few drivers at each GP.
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Since so many drivers make mistakes there, I think it's a good test of skill. The results seem to always have a surprise or two. I agree with John and Luke, it's a shame they don't work as hard to hang on to Silverstone, Spa, or Monza. Now Mexico is possibly in trouble as the government has withdrawn their financing. If Mexico can't survive with the crowds they draw, there is something wrong with the system.
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Don't get me wrong, I do like Baku myself. As Luke said above, I think it was indeed 2017, which involved a stunning amount of wheel-2-wheel and overtakes in the entire season!!! ... and that has to be good for F1.
I hope the historic races are protected as we go forward. We have heard more and more rumours about Monaco not being ideal for modern race cars and of course, political friction and money matters with many other venues in Europe.
I just don't want to see a calendar with "glossy new venues" and no historic race tracks to embrace anymore. The new management is purely looking at race weekends as a package, in that they want a city with money to bring fans in for spending purposes, not just to come watch a race - that's business, but it's also a concern.
Best Regards,
Cal :)
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Went to the Baku race in 2017 and loved it...the event, the place was all fabulous. So much so, we're going back for this season.
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I hope the historic races are protected as we go forward. We have heard more and more rumours about Monaco not being ideal for modern race cars and of course, political friction and money matters with many other venues in Europe.
I just don't want to see a calendar with "glossy new venues" and no historic race tracks to embrace anymore. The new management is purely looking at race weekends as a package, in that they want a city with money to bring fans in for spending purposes, not just to come watch a race - that's business, but it's also a concern.
Best Regards,
Cal :)
Monaco isn't going anywhere, 'glossy' is a good word, and Monaco sets the standard for what a glossy event is.
The 'trouble' with the 'historic' events is they feel like a bunch of people hanging out in the countryside. Naturally as race fans we're all like 'yeah, a race track out in the country IS racing', but investors want every race to be a big glossy event like Monaco. As long as people are willing to pony up to put on a glossy event, the 'real' races will continue to fall to the side.
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NASCAR tried the same thing. They dumped historic tracks like Rockingham & North Wilksboro for glossy new BCC (Boring Charlotte Clones) in big cities. They pick up some "fad fans" but lost most of their hard core base. Now the fad fans have moved on to the next fad. Take a look at the stands at a Cup race. You could stampede a herd of cattle through them & not hit anyone.
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Went to the Baku race in 2017 and loved it...the event, the place was all fabulous. So much so, we're going back for this season.
I must admit if I could go, it is a very appealing Grand Prix to go to. The track looks great and the venue (despite the dubious politics) looks great to visit.
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NASCAR tried the same thing. They dumped historic tracks like Rockingham & North Wilksboro for glossy new BCC (Boring Charlotte Clones) in big cities. They pick up some "fad fans" but lost most of their hard core base. Now the fad fans have moved on to the next fad. Take a look at the stands at a Cup race. You could stampede a herd of cattle through them & not hit anyone.
Totally right. Throw in the "Car of Tomorrow" and you've got what's killing NASCAR.
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And "Segment Racing." :sick: Cars going slowly & not passing isn't racing, it's rush hour traffic.