F1 Schedule Announcement Surprises with no New Jersey Race for 2014
Although the current season’s title is far from decided, the FIA announced the preliminary calendar for the 2014 season earlier this week.
The headline from the sport’s governing body was that there was no mention of the New Jersey Grand Prix which appears to have been dropped from the draft calendar despite there being considerable hints that it would be included.
In its place the sport could head to Mexico City for the first time since 1992 whilst there is also expected to be a race in the Russian city of Sochi. F1 also appears to be making a return to Austria as part of a 21-race schedule circulated by Bernie Ecclestone.
The absence of New Jersey is perhaps the most outstanding feature, but is unsurprising considering that motorsport’s governing body voiced doubts about the readiness of the circuit despite race organiser insisting it would go ahead. Drivers will still stamp their passports in the USA as Texas looks set to host its second Grand Prix, but it was expected that Manhattan would be the backdrop to a street circuit race but those plans appear to have been put on hold by this latest announcement. Considering the doubts which have surrounded the New Jersey GP for the past two years it is somewhat unsurprising that it is not featured in the latest calendar.
Although it has been included provisionally, there are by no means any guarantees that the Grand Prix in Mexico will go ahead given there is much work to do at the Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez which is likely to host the event. It also appears that Russia nor South Korea are guaranteed to take their place leaving the door open for venues like Turkey, France or even Argentina to return to the fold.
If the 21-race schedule is to go ahead then it would be the longest in F1 history, but there are likely to be many changes before the schedule is confirmed following the current season. The 2014 season is due to start in Australia on 16th March and end in Brazil on 30th November. Things have been moved around slightly meaning that the British Grand Prix would be pencilled in for 6th July, clashing with the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final. Instead of being at the end calendar, Korea, if it does ahead, would be the fourth race of the season during several stops in Asia however the Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix’ would still be in September and October respectively. The middle portion of the season following the Bahrain Grand Prix would take place in Europe with eight races included which end with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 7th.
Bernie Ecclestone and his team have plenty to discuss ahead of the schedule being confirmed and, there is likely to be many alterations in dates and venues before the draft becomes finalised.
In its place the sport could head to Mexico City for the first time since 1992 whilst there is also expected to be a race in the Russian city of Sochi. F1 also appears to be making a return to Austria as part of a 21-race schedule circulated by Bernie Ecclestone.
The absence of New Jersey is perhaps the most outstanding feature, but is unsurprising considering that motorsport’s governing body voiced doubts about the readiness of the circuit despite race organiser insisting it would go ahead. Drivers will still stamp their passports in the USA as Texas looks set to host its second Grand Prix, but it was expected that Manhattan would be the backdrop to a street circuit race but those plans appear to have been put on hold by this latest announcement. Considering the doubts which have surrounded the New Jersey GP for the past two years it is somewhat unsurprising that it is not featured in the latest calendar.
Although it has been included provisionally, there are by no means any guarantees that the Grand Prix in Mexico will go ahead given there is much work to do at the Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez which is likely to host the event. It also appears that Russia nor South Korea are guaranteed to take their place leaving the door open for venues like Turkey, France or even Argentina to return to the fold.
If the 21-race schedule is to go ahead then it would be the longest in F1 history, but there are likely to be many changes before the schedule is confirmed following the current season. The 2014 season is due to start in Australia on 16th March and end in Brazil on 30th November. Things have been moved around slightly meaning that the British Grand Prix would be pencilled in for 6th July, clashing with the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final. Instead of being at the end calendar, Korea, if it does ahead, would be the fourth race of the season during several stops in Asia however the Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix’ would still be in September and October respectively. The middle portion of the season following the Bahrain Grand Prix would take place in Europe with eight races included which end with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 7th.
Bernie Ecclestone and his team have plenty to discuss ahead of the schedule being confirmed and, there is likely to be many alterations in dates and venues before the draft becomes finalised.
Potential F1 Venues
Few venues can live up to the tradition of circuits like Spa, Monaco and Monza, but many of the more modern tracks such as Singapore and Abu Dhabi have done their best to try to create an atmosphere and a location which lives up to the prestigious reputation of Formula One.
Following the announcement that there is potential for a race in Sochi next season and we are still waiting for confirmation on the much anticipated New Jersey Grand Prix, here are five other potential venues that may become F1 venues in the future:
Venezuela
With Mexico potentially added to the calendar for 2014, there is potential that Venezuela could be the next South American country capable of staging its own race. Although there was previously a Grand Prix in Argentina that has potential to be re-introduced into the calendar, the link between the sport runs deep as Williams driver Pastor Maldonado, whose team are currently backed by PDVSA national energy company, could potentially fund a race bid on behalf of the country.
Thailand
F1 had initially suggested that it planned to hold a race in Bangkok during the 2014 but after it was missed off the calendar, there have been rumours that officials from the country banned racing in the city’s historic quarter ending any hope that there may be an agreement in place soon. The proposed race would have fitted perfectly into the current schedule as drivers took part in a second night race of the season through the Thai capital, but with Bangkok no longer being considered a viable option the island of Phuket could become the sport’s next target.
Hong Kong
Back in 2011, Hong Kong motorsport president showed an interest in hosting an F1 race, but since then nothing has been followed up on his intentions. Whilst many other Asian countries have been added to the calendar, Hong Kong remains a viable option due to its diverse mix of east and west, and the exciting spectacle that it would offer as a street race. Although China already has the Shanghai Grand Prix secured for at least the next three years, there is no reason that there might not be a race headed to the state-owned province in the near future.
Egypt
The only continent with a race not currently present within its midst (ruling out Antarctica at this stage, but in F1 anything is possible) Africa is clearly a target for Bernie Ecclestone and his grand plan of globalisation. Morocco and South Africa also present viable opportunities, but Egypt could be preferential because of the surroundings it could potentially offer the drivers and teams. Quite where the race might take place is pure speculation, but with a Grand Prix almost certain to land in Africa within five years, Egypt is perhaps the most logical country for the sport to find a ‘home’ in on the continent.
Switzerland
The mountainous European nation seems like a natural home for Formula One alongside Austria, Belgium and Italy, but not since 1982 has the country held a race. Much of this was to do with the Swiss Parliament levying a ban on circuit racing in the country however in 2007 there was a vote which is still currently pending that could bring F1 back to its climbs. Capital Zurich would seem like a logical option, but there would also be potential if the sport decided to propose a race in Basel, Berne or even Geneva. It remains to be seen whether Switzerland has any desire to hold a race and whether or not there is a suitable location for this to take place in.
Following the announcement that there is potential for a race in Sochi next season and we are still waiting for confirmation on the much anticipated New Jersey Grand Prix, here are five other potential venues that may become F1 venues in the future:
Venezuela
With Mexico potentially added to the calendar for 2014, there is potential that Venezuela could be the next South American country capable of staging its own race. Although there was previously a Grand Prix in Argentina that has potential to be re-introduced into the calendar, the link between the sport runs deep as Williams driver Pastor Maldonado, whose team are currently backed by PDVSA national energy company, could potentially fund a race bid on behalf of the country.
Thailand
F1 had initially suggested that it planned to hold a race in Bangkok during the 2014 but after it was missed off the calendar, there have been rumours that officials from the country banned racing in the city’s historic quarter ending any hope that there may be an agreement in place soon. The proposed race would have fitted perfectly into the current schedule as drivers took part in a second night race of the season through the Thai capital, but with Bangkok no longer being considered a viable option the island of Phuket could become the sport’s next target.
Hong Kong
Back in 2011, Hong Kong motorsport president showed an interest in hosting an F1 race, but since then nothing has been followed up on his intentions. Whilst many other Asian countries have been added to the calendar, Hong Kong remains a viable option due to its diverse mix of east and west, and the exciting spectacle that it would offer as a street race. Although China already has the Shanghai Grand Prix secured for at least the next three years, there is no reason that there might not be a race headed to the state-owned province in the near future.
Egypt
The only continent with a race not currently present within its midst (ruling out Antarctica at this stage, but in F1 anything is possible) Africa is clearly a target for Bernie Ecclestone and his grand plan of globalisation. Morocco and South Africa also present viable opportunities, but Egypt could be preferential because of the surroundings it could potentially offer the drivers and teams. Quite where the race might take place is pure speculation, but with a Grand Prix almost certain to land in Africa within five years, Egypt is perhaps the most logical country for the sport to find a ‘home’ in on the continent.
Switzerland
The mountainous European nation seems like a natural home for Formula One alongside Austria, Belgium and Italy, but not since 1982 has the country held a race. Much of this was to do with the Swiss Parliament levying a ban on circuit racing in the country however in 2007 there was a vote which is still currently pending that could bring F1 back to its climbs. Capital Zurich would seem like a logical option, but there would also be potential if the sport decided to propose a race in Basel, Berne or even Geneva. It remains to be seen whether Switzerland has any desire to hold a race and whether or not there is a suitable location for this to take place in.