JUNE 23, 2009

A FOTA calendar?

A supposed FOTA calendar has been appearing in the media in the last few hours, including Monaco, Monza, Suzuka, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. In addition there are former F1 venues in Buenos Aires, (Argentina), Mexico City, Jerez, Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis, Magny-Cours and potentially either Adelaide or Surfers' Paradise in Australia.

A supposed FOTA calendar has been appearing in the media in the last few hours, including Monaco, Monza, Suzuka, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. In addition there are former F1 venues in Buenos Aires, (Argentina), Mexico City, Jerez, Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis, Magny-Cours and potentially either Adelaide or Surfers' Paradise in Australia. New venues listed are Portimao, in Portugal, a street race in Helsinki and Lausitzring in Germany. The calendar does not really sound very likely as it seems to be rather backward-looking in style. We had heard whispers that it was more likely that we would see two or even three races in the United States, which is a key market for the automobile manufacturers and has only been excluded from F1 in recent years because local promoters will not pay the fees being demanded.

Having the basis of a calendar no doubt will help to add to the impression that FOTA is serious about starting it own championship. There are now few people in F1 who do not believe the organisation to be completely serious, but nothing is likely to happen until the FIA meets in Paris tomorrow to consider its strategies for the future.