Ecclestone: "F1 will drop some European races"
- Published on 24 Jun 2016 12:44
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed reports he intends to drop "one or two" European rounds from the F1 calendar. The F1 supremo was quoted this week as saying that while this year's schedule stands at an unprecedented 21 grands prix, the 2017 calendar could have as few as 18.
"Absolutely," Ecclestone has now told the Russian news source RBC. "That is exactly what will happen -- one or two countries will be excluded, definitely. I can't say which ones, but the new countries will be from a different part of the world. Not from Europe," he insisted.
Already, F1 has moved away from traditional European markets like France, while Germany and Italy are now endangered stops on the calendar. "Formula one is not the European championship," Ecclestone said. "This is the world championship."
But there have been several examples in recent years of new countries - like Turkey, Korea and India - joining the calendar but not enjoying any longevity. Asked what a new venue like Azerbaijan can do to avoid the same fate, Ecclestone answered: "Pay!"
Told that many hosts argue that F1 races are no longer profitable, he added: "It's not my fault. I don't organise the races. It's their task to attract the fans." (GMM)
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Replies (4)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
I'd like to know how many fans bought tickets to the Baku race. The stands seemed to all face straight sections of the circuit. I sure wouldn't want to go see a race on what amounts to a "hot wheels" track with no view of the corners. Unless the government keeps paying Bernie this race will not last.
Squirrel10
Posts: 36
Again? When will this hypocrite be removed?
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
When he is dead. Those who want to take over need to find a way to expedite that for the good of the sport and human race.
Freguz
Posts: 160
Fine, axe the old traditional race tracks and create new artificial ones outside of Europe. Good luck F1.