FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[andrew]

It all comes down to money. The Belgian GP is the best track on the calander but it isn't profitable. At least we get a race at Spa every 2nd year - it could easily have been cut altogether!

No Spa and yet Spain still has two races one at the godawful Valencia

Only one race in Spain from next year - Ecclestone confirms Spanish hosts to alternate race

[myownalias]

This was on the cards for some time, I'm surprised that Spa wasn't alternated before now given the amount of losses the event has been making, mainly due to Bernie Ecclestone's greed, I'm wonder what financial deals there is to be done still, doesn't BE own Paul Ricard? I've never seen a race held at Paul Ricard, I started watching F1 sporadically in 1991 and full time from 1992.

[scotty]

It all comes down to money. The Belgian GP is the best track on the calander but it isn't profitable. At least we get a race at Spa every 2nd year - it could easily have been cut altogether!

No Spa and yet Spain still has two races one at the godawful Valencia

Only one race in Spain from next year - Ecclestone confirms Spanish hosts to alternate race

Oh right! That shuts me up then i guess. I assume that is to make way for the NJ race.

[myownalias]

I assume that is to make way for the NJ race.

Assuming that NJ actually happens in 2013; not to mention, what is going to make way for Russia in 2014?

[vlad]

As far as I remember, Paul Ricard is really abrasive, Pirelli tires will literally shred there... Too bad about SPA...

[myownalias]

As far as I remember, Paul Ricard is really abrasive, Pirelli tires will literally shred there... Too bad about SPA...

From what I have read; Paul Ricard isn't that abrasive if you stay on track but the run off areas are very abrasive and will tear up the tyres, that'll stop drivers leaving the confines of the track to gain an advantage, much better than tarmac run off; which is the same as the track surface where there is no penalty, and in some cases, an advantage in going off track

[vlad]

Yeah, run offs on this track are really big...

[killem2]

I've races a few laps around the french gp in various racing games, I thought it was interesting, not worth giving up spa, but at least it is more like a minor side grade.

[myownalias]

I've races a few laps around the french gp in various racing games, I thought it was interesting, not worth giving up spa, but at least it is more like a minor side grade.

The French GP; are you sure that isn't Magny-Cour? the French GP has not been held at Paul Ricard since 1990!

[killem2]

I've races a few laps around the french gp in various racing games, I thought it was interesting, not worth giving up spa, but at least it is more like a minor side grade.

The French GP; are you sure that isn't Magny-Cour? the French GP has not been held at Paul Ricard since 1990!

Oh maybe I do have it wrong. I just remember it being called something like that, i will check again!

[scotty]

As far as I remember, Paul Ricard is really abrasive, Pirelli tires will literally shred there... Too bad about SPA...

From what I have read; Paul Ricard isn't that abrasive if you stay on track but the run off areas are very abrasive and will tear up the tyres, that'll stop drivers leaving the confines of the track to gain an advantage, much better than tarmac run off; which is the same as the track surface where there is no penalty, and in some cases, an advantage in going off track

It's basically the same as Abu Dhabi there, in those painted areas.

[andrew]

It all comes down to money. The Belgian GP is the best track on the calander but it isn't profitable. At least we get a race at Spa every 2nd year - it could easily have been cut altogether!

No Spa and yet Spain still has two races one at the godawful Valencia

Only one race in Spain from next year - Ecclestone confirms Spanish hosts to alternate race

Oh right! That shuts me up then i guess. I assume that is to make way for the NJ race.

Quite possibly but I can't help but feel that NJ is a fallback should Austin either be a disaster or not go ahead so as to guarantee a race in the US.

We still have Valencia but at least it's only going to be every 2nd year.

[LewEngBridewell]

I bloody well wish they'd make a return to Austria with the Red Bull Ring, but nonetheless the return to France will be a welcome one. At least we haven't lost Spa altogether though!

And at least we have our darling Monza!

[elfinitty]

Don't touch SPA!2 of my favorite races out of the calander within a year is just too much now!

Also,if Argentina is going to make a comeback next year(as it is told),which race would be dropped?Or not any if there's 1 GP in Spain?

[scotty]

France is increasingly likely to return to the Formula 1 calendar after Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that a deal to race at Paul Ricard 'is done'.

The country has not hosted a grand prix since Magny Cours was dropped for the 2009 season due to financial difficulties.

The event's return now looks guaranteed, with Ecclestone telling France's L'Equipe that he had 'no doubt' about the race taking place. AUTOSPORT understands that the contract is for five grands prix, in 2013, '15, '17, '19 and '21, and that the grand prix would use the full version of the Paul Ricard circuit.

"The deal is done," Ecclestone said. "We actually agreed on financial terms with the sports minister, David Douillet, in my office last Tuesday.

"We are still discussing a few points about money around the race, 'You give me this, I want that' and so on. But, for me, there is no doubt that we will sort it all out."

Despite long-running rumours of a race-share deal with Belgian Grand Prix venue Spa-Francorchamps, there has been no firm decision about which venue will take the slot in France's 'off' years.

Ecclestone's comments come as France heads for the second and final round of its presidential election, fought between incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and his Socialist rival Francois Hollande.

Ecclestone said he was confident a deal would be sorted regardless of the winning candidate, saying that he was even open to completing before the final elections on May 6.

Asked when the agreement might be fully completed, Ecclestone replied: "before the result of the second round of presidential elections in France, if they wish. Whatever the outcome, I do not care. This is a domestic issue that does concern me."

Italicised the important part. It seems somewhat ambiguous as do other articles i've read, so maybe there is still some small hope that Spa can stay.