FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[darwin dali]

But even with the future of current British Grand Prix venue Silverstone in doubt, Palmer - who bought the track [Brands Hatch] in 2004 - said: "We have not got the space for Formula One as the track would need a radical re-development.

"Particularly with the requirements for the safety these days, it would cost us an awful lot of money to get these up to standard.

"Secondly, I do not think it would be good business. Having a Grand Prix is not a business.
It is really a global flag waving exercise for a country," he added.


Is he right? Is it just a global flag waving exercise for a country? I like the phrase, BUT: why are so many countries so eager to host an F1 race if it's not profitable for them - think tourism, long-term economic development, etc.? And why is Australia losing it when it doesn't make money for them? If it were just a flag waving exercise, wouldn't Australia try to keep it despite the costs? I think business considerations are VERY much in the equation for almost all countries that host a race.

[texasmr2]

It seem's Palmer is just pissed that he may have not been able to raise the fund's needed?

[7UpJordan]

A Grand Prix is not good for business?? Ok then, what would HE consider good business? Investing in a collection of old rusty buckets dating from 200 years ago to the present day? Opening a museum of Road works signs?

[Jensonb]

People making excuses always sound like idiots.

And after all, if Silverstone can't make money off the British Grand Prix, then it's leaders aren't very good at doing business. It's only the biggest event the venue could hold.

No biggie.

[bud]

I think he means a flag waving exercise is "hey im here look look, come and visit us"

and Australia is losing it pretty much the same way the US lost it, Bernies asking price isnt worth the side benefits

[piledriver]

I think he means a flag waving exercise is "hey im here look look, come and visit us"

and Australia is losing it pretty much the same way the US lost it, Bernies asking price isnt worth the side benefits

I agree

[Martin]

But even with the future of current British Grand Prix venue Silverstone in doubt, Palmer - who bought the track [Brands Hatch] in 2004 - said: "We have not got the space for Formula One as the track would need a radical re-development.

"Particularly with the requirements for the safety these days, it would cost us an awful lot of money to get these up to standard.

"Secondly, I do not think it would be good business. Having a Grand Prix is not a business.
It is really a global flag waving exercise for a country," he added.


Is he right? Is it just a global flag waving exercise for a country? I like the phrase, BUT: why are so many countries so eager to host an F1 race if it's not profitable for them - think tourism, long-term economic development, etc.? And why is Australia losing it when it doesn't make money for them? If it were just a flag waving exercise, wouldn't Australia try to keep it despite the costs? I think
business considerations are VERY much in the equation for almost all countries that host a race.

Yes DD. I suppose it depends upon the real interest in the sport within the country. I dont think that Aus, has, relatively, many hard core F1 supporters. They seem to prefer the 'in your face' V8 muscle car ' racing..I think that Palmer is right in that an F1 GP does carry prestige within a country, if the support is there. Aus has its sports reputation in Rugby, Cricket, swimming, it does not have its own teams, and only 1 (mediocre) driver, although there has been some good drivers in the past - Brabham, Hulme etc.
The mid east states do not have teams or drivers either, but they do have the money and it is giving them prestige in the western world, which is important, i think, to them.

[Denthúl]

I wouldn't call Webber mediocre, to be honest. He's a skilled driver, and I would say that, given a decent car, he could win races. I'm hoping the RB4 will at least allow him to get on to the podium a few times in 2008, and maybe win a race in 2009, because Webber and Coulthard deserve that. And besides, Adrian Newey is designing the cars - it's only a matter of time before he finds the right one.

[bud]

Yeah mainstream open wheel racing is pretty non existant in Australia its only V8 Supercars or Rally that get any real attention and ofcourse when we host the F1 or Champ car race does open wheelers get any media attention.

But like AKR has said its all about the locally produced Falcon Vs Commodore, on the Webber story he doesnt really get much news lines here and even if he won the world title i dont think it would change a whole lot, Casey stoner is Aussie and yeah the media followed his progress and all but there isnt crazy fanfare or over the top media attention say Fernando Alonso gets in Spain.

[Martin]

I wouldn't call Webber mediocre, to be honest. He's a skilled driver, and I would say that, given a decent car, he could win races. I'm hoping the RB4 will at least allow him to get on to the podium a few times in 2008, and maybe win a race in 2009, because Webber and Coulthard deserve that. And besides, Adrian Newey is designing the cars - it's only a matter of time before he finds the right one.

By medeocre I meant in terms of F1 drivers, of course he is a good driver, all F1 drivers are - even Ralph Shcu, and he could win races in a good car I agree, but I dont think that he has the right temperement to motivate his team or to become a world champ. I really dont see him as world champ material.

[AKR]

Too much enphasis on AFL and Cricket in Australia......BORING. Casey Stoner is Moto GP world Champion. Why can't he be in all the newspapers all the time? and he rides a Ducati as well. In Australia all sporting emphasis should be on F1, Moto GP, Rallying, V8 Supercars and football. Exciting sports! Australia has already lost its round of the WRC. Next is the F1 GP and if not careful the Moto GP. Then all that will be left is V8 Supercars which really only car fans like meaning Australia will be stuck with AFL and Cricket. Sad if it were to happen Now you silly Australian media/newspapers concentrate all efforts on World Moto GP champion Casey Stoner of DUCATI. He could be the next Valentino Rossi so glorify Stoner like the Italians glorify Rossi and make the sporting section of the newspaper worth reading.

[Denthúl]

I wouldn't call Webber mediocre, to be honest. He's a skilled driver, and I would say that, given a decent car, he could win races. I'm hoping the RB4 will at least allow him to get on to the podium a few times in 2008, and maybe win a race in 2009, because Webber and Coulthard deserve that. And besides, Adrian Newey is designing the cars - it's only a matter of time before he finds the right one.

By medeocre I meant in terms of F1 drivers, of course he is a good driver, all F1 drivers are - even Ralph Shcu, and he could win races in a good car I agree, but I dont think that he has the right temperement to motivate his team or to become a world champ. I really dont see him as world champ material.

Ralf Schumacher is actually a pretty underrated driver. Most are, unless they do something absolutely amazing with a terrible car (which rarely happens) or they get given a competitive, championship-winning car. Only last season did we start to see Nick Heidfeld's potential. When he was with Sauber Petronas, he had an okay car, but it was nothing special and so it was hard for his true abilities to shine through. When he was with McLaren, DC was a race winning driver and I think that he could've had a go at winning the championship.

I understand that there are a lot of drivers who probably won't win the championship, but if they were given a good enough car they'd probably come very close to it. Not everybody can be the best. If he hadn't been made to play second fiddle to Schumacher all those years, Barichello could've had a really good shot at winning the WDC...

[darwin dali]

But even with the future of current British Grand Prix venue Silverstone in doubt, Palmer - who bought the track [Brands Hatch] in 2004 - said: "We have not got the space for Formula One as the track would need a radical re-development.

"Particularly with the requirements for the safety these days, it would cost us an awful lot of money to get these up to standard.

"Secondly, I do not think it would be good business. Having a Grand Prix is not a business.
It is really a global flag waving exercise for a country," he added.


Is he right? Is it just a global flag waving exercise for a country? I like the phrase, BUT: why are so many countries so eager to host an F1 race if it's not profitable for them - think tourism, long-term economic development, etc.? And why is Australia losing it when it doesn't make money for them? If it were just a flag waving exercise, wouldn't Australia try to keep it despite the costs? I think
business considerations are VERY much in the equation for almost all countries that host a race.

Yes DD. I suppose it depends upon the real interest in the sport within the country. I dont think that Aus, has, relatively, many hard core F1 supporters. They seem to prefer the 'in your face' V8 muscle car ' racing..I think that Palmer is right in that an F1 GP does carry prestige within a country, if the support is there. Aus has its sports reputation in Rugby, Cricket, swimming, it does not have its own teams, and only 1 (mediocre) driver, although there has been some good drivers in the past - Brabham, Hulme etc.
The mid east states do not have teams or drivers either, but they do have the money and it is giving them prestige in the western world, which is important, i think, to them.

Ok then - contrast what you said about Australia (and the US) with GB! LOTS of interest, fanatical and all, yet they're threatened to lose the GP. Germany, another case: huge amounts of interest and fans, yet they lost the European GP (their second GP). It's all about $$$ or £££ or €€€...

[Martin]

But even with the future of current British Grand Prix venue Silverstone in doubt, Palmer - who bought the track [Brands Hatch] in 2004 - said: "We have not got the space for Formula One as the track would need a radical re-development.

"Particularly with the requirements for the safety these days, it would cost us an awful lot of money to get these up to standard.

"Secondly, I do not think it would be good business. Having a Grand Prix is not a business.
It is really a global flag waving exercise for a country," he added.


Is he right? Is it just a global flag waving exercise for a country? I like the phrase, BUT: why are so many countries so eager to host an F1 race if it's not profitable for them - think tourism, long-term economic development, etc.? And why is Australia losing it when it doesn't make money for them? If it were just a flag waving exercise, wouldn't Australia try to keep it despite the costs? I think
business considerations are VERY much in the equation for almost all countries that host a race.

Yes DD. I suppose it depends upon the real interest in the sport within the country. I dont think that Aus, has, relatively, many hard core F1 supporters. They seem to prefer the 'in your face' V8 muscle car ' racing..I think that Palmer is right in that an F1 GP does carry prestige within a country, if the support is there. Aus has its sports reputation in Rugby, Cricket, swimming, it does not have its own teams, and only 1 (mediocre) driver, although there has been some good drivers in the past - Brabham, Hulme etc.
The mid east states do not have teams or drivers either, but they do have the money and it is giving them prestige in the western world, which is important, i think, to them.

Ok then - contrast what you said about Australia (and the US) with GB! LOTS of interest, fanatical and all, yet they're threatened to lose the GP. Germany, another case: huge amounts of interest and fans, yet they lost the European GP (their second GP). It's all about $$$ or £££ or €€€...

Good point DD, but the GB problem is about money, and the circuit conforming to the Bernie standards. - thats not really the case in Aus - is it?

[darwin dali]

Nothing that £££ couldn't fix in Silverstone. I'm appalled at the incompetence and ineptitude of the leadership of the BRDC (Stewart/Hill) with which they (mis)managed Silverstone's fate, unable to secure its future! Their arrogance and sense of entitlement out of historical reasons is going to be Silverstone's downfall.