Europe under pressure

Last weeks were animated by different proceedings about European GP. Talking about Grand Prix’s removal, rumors about potential cancellation or funding issues, information were mixing up. Each place tries to prevent its track, arguing its historical and legendary influence.
It is time to focus on the current situation.

Germany
The country which welcomes Formula 1 since its very beginning, nation of Vettel, Rosberg, Hülkenberg and in overall, of the team from all fronts: Mercedes. But the land which, as reminder had seen the cancel of the 2015 Grand Prix, either Nürburgring, or Hockenheim (Cf. Article).

As Ecclestone said: « We could not accept a contract for half-price for this year, but even at this tariff, they would have issues.” He thinks that we do not cover what we cannot offer, there is no one who is essential, adding that he has great races to replace them. He argues if hosts as Spa (in Belgium) can set up a GP, so Germany and Italy can as well.
And last shot added by Nicki Lauda (Mercedes’ non-executive director!) who explains that he has no sympathy to German organizers: “As though there is no more race in Germany, people will come to Austria instead. Germany complained to have to pay too much to Bernie but she only can blame herself.”
The message is clear… Funding issues for a country having organized GP almost during 60 years and more, a lack of sympathy to organizers, it seems that discords are more on a political level. Enough anyway, to cancel during the season a decisive and important race, and "send stroll" thousand spectators who wanted come there.

Forza Italia
Just-in Italy rightly! Famous track of Monza risks the same destiny. We will see wheels on its tarmac this season, but next year is under question mark: “Local developers have to respect their engagements. In fact, we possess in good standings contract which was signed, by a person who got fired. It is not my problem. Italians have to pay their bills as planned and the Grand Prix will be registered for 2016 calendar. Otherwise, it will not take place” (Bernie Ecclestone). Hoping that a second historical team anchorage will not disappear under the tires.

Spanish Bull
Alonso’s homeland does not have to worry yet about a potential removal. The race will be organized in Barcelona this year. However, we may see a comeback to Valencia, where F1 took place between 2008 and 2012 until financial issues: the city could not ensure an event like that every year. It seems that a company, ARC Resort (based in Singapore, specialized in Casino and resort development, hotels and tourism) is ready to set up a Valencian Monaco. The enterprise has as project to build a 6 stars hotel, a casino, or even a Yacht Club, and by that create employment and tourism. Such investment, can only be beneficial. The race’s return on this track goes without saying, in a way to see F1 competition and promote Formula E, which encounter more and more success. If this project comes true, it will start during 2016 spring. And adding to that panorama: the potential title of “Europe Grand Prix”. But it is without counting on last idea of the big boss of Formula One: a GP in Azerbaijan, which could steal the show.

So, Azerbaijan?
A novelty which creates controversy. On the one hand, because this race risks replace a European one, and on the other hand, because there are problems with Human Rights. This choice answers to Ecclestone’s will to replace Korean GP, which he did not appreciate. So, as confirmed 10 days ago, Azerbaijan will be integrated to 2016 calendar. The question is: will it be interlaced between two races or will it replace an old one? For the moment, there is no answer, even if apprehensions are real about a disappearing in 2016 of a country which made his way in motorsport’s history such as Italy or Germany, which had been ousted this season.
The race will take place in the streets of the capital, Baku, on the edges of Caspian Sea. Must believe that Monaco becomes a fashion!
The second problem around this GP, is about Human Rights. A report of Human Rights Watch (HRW) puts forward a repressive situation in the country against defenders of those rights: about thirty political activists, bloggers or journalists had been condemned or imprisoned. Some opponents’ accounts have been frozen. However, basically, Formula One’s world does not stay indifferent in front of individual freedoms (Cf. Cancelling of Grand Prix of Bahrein in 2011). But in front of that, Bernie Ecclestone says he has read the report and declares that he does not really believe it: “I think everybody seems to be happy, it doesn't seem to be any big problems there.” Obviously, there is enough to turn a blind eye on those thirty happy, as long as problems on the spot do not become too “big”.

Faced with this, what remains as GP in Europe?
In category “tough”, we can add Belgium –and her unclassifiable Spa-Francorchamps which will open its door to close Germans- and Great Britain, both are starting to falter in their funding.
Remains, the head above water, Monaco, which does not need to worry – though, in view of the future arrival of her twins, she may be need to differentiate herself. With the Principality, we can add Austria, which will be too a welcoming German ground home, and Hungary. Together, for a while, they maintain as well as they can the European GP bloc.
And finally, it is important to remind that behind Formula One, on those tracks, there are GP2 and GP3 competitions. So challenges are not minimal and focused only on one type of race.
This debate is not obviously closed on Europe, other international tracks are undergoing to changes or uncertainties. Nowadays, Australian GP is discussed: organizers want to start it on April 3 (instead of middle of March), next season. Consequences? A F1 season more condensate, because they want to keep it as first Grand Prix of the season. Now, it is under discussion, but if that decision is taken, it risks to create other debates and affect firstly drivers and their teams (jet lag’s problems, no rest, late trainings…)

It is difficult to predict future, of course. Even if, subjectively, there is on the one hand, the will to keep mythical tracks under the wheels, and on the other hand, we had to accept that F1 has to evolve and moving with the times, and to do that, they have to innovate, try new things.

But Formula 1 is in a time where she’s loosing gradually her past prestige on last seasons: technical and regulation newness, without talking about the V8’s substitution which continues to be discussed. Mark Webber, former F1 driver, explained to F1i two days ago that he wants “F1 to be awesome again”, saying that there is a big lack of steering challenge, that cars need to be physically more exigent: “There are needs to be more of a physical component and more reward for guys who’ve been more disciplined in that area. In tennis, I don’t think Roger Federer wants to have the net lowered. No one wants a leveling down.”

In this context, remove historical part, myth of famous European tracks, what stills make people come on the spot, would not it be a heavy blow? More and more, eyes are turning to Formula E, best received, as she assumes and develops herself in those domains (technology, new tracks, races’ strategy, etc.)

The “too much” of successive innovations in F1 at different levels, seem to be far from unanimity, either on the side of spectator, or on the intern side of the competition. No need to play at “Guess Who” game in the decisions in F1, the British big boss seats in state in the middle of the play. Between politics and finance, despite other waiting good ideas, he bosses around his choices.
Perhaps he is right and have seen the future of this motorsport in an accurate way, perhaps he is wrong in his judgement, only the future will show that.
Bernie Ecclestone takes decisions, but it is in front that everything is played: by the welcoming of changes by teams and drivers, spectators and enthusiasts, then we will be able to judge if those choices were bad or right.

Angélique BELOKOPYTOV

Photo credits: http://thisisf1.com/2015/01/07/spa-francorchaps-extends-f1-race-deal-2018/

Comments

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[SB]

Indeed, there is a number of question marks. What European GP will be maintaoned? What will be replaced? Would "New GP Welcomers" pay better, compare to "old Europeans"? Who knows? On the other hand, look how many funs attend European GP. There are different current challenges in F1, financial, technical, political ones. What of them are most important. One has to be the decision maker, in order to be able to chose amongst them. Who is right? Who is wrong? Only the future will give the right reply on this question. Show must go on anyhow, in Europe or not. Up to Bernie to take right decisions, right decisions for whom?...

[Angélique Belokopytov]

Sure SB, those questions are real and are woth and equal. I think that in this case, nothing is absolutely white or black, there needs balance, and that is the danger: put more weight only on one side without considering consequences for the other side. ANd as you said well, challenge in F1 are varied, so take decisions to quickly and "alone", becomes a blind mission, because of no discussion with others players in the game (at differents levels, they can give good advices or professional notice on situation). We will see how it will be in the future, and how F1 will adapt -or not- herself to that.