2008 Calendar

[jab]

1) 16 March - Australia - Albert Park
2) 23 March - Malaysia - Sepang
3) 6 April - Bahrain - Sakhir
4) 27 April - Spain - Barcelona
5) 11 May - Turkey - Istanbul
6) 25 May - Monaco - Monte Carlo
7) 8 June - Canada - Montreal (provisional)
8) 22 June - France - Magny-Cours
9) 6 July - Britain - Silverstone
10) 20 July - Germany - Hockenheim
11) 3 August - Hungary - Hungaroring
12) 24 August - Europe - Valencia
13) 7 September - Italy - Monza
14) 14 September - Belgium - Spa-Francorchamps
15) 28 September - Singapore - Singapore
16) 12 October - China - Shanghai
17) 19 October - Japan - Fuji
18) 2 November - Brazil - Interlagos

So, we go into November now, despite no long gaps like this year. Turkey's a bit early, and Australia's still the opener. And as expected, no returns for Suzuka or Imola

[elspethhardie]

Correct me if I'm wrong and I'm sure you all will... but I'm certain I heard some where (nothing to back this up btw) that in 2008 we were starting in Bahrain.

I only heard it quite recently and I'm sure it was on Radio 5 Live.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Is there a source for this ?

There are many articles on the internet which state that the Australian date of March 16th will be the Second round after a Bahrain opener.

Here's just one from the official Aussie GP website http://cars.grandprix.com.au/default...isplay&id=1308

<edit: beaten to the post by seconds>

[Mr V]

Hmmm, where did this come from?

Where is Valencia, as is rumoured for 2008?

Glad to see that, for once, there isn't a provisional alongside Silverstone.

[Knowlesy]

Bahrain is the season opener, it was confirmed last week (unless I dreamt it, but the disappointment I felt was very real!).

jab, is there a link for this?

[elspethhardie]

I feel quite relieved now that everyone else is saying about Bahrain ..... I was getting a bt worried!

[SamDale]

www.formula1.com

[elspethhardie]

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/7/6548.html

I stand corrected!

[Knowlesy]

Well that is weird!

Hmmm...well, this is good news then. A season opener at Bahrain is not the way to go at all (2006 was dreadful).

Hurrah!

France is back in too, as Bernie hinted at last week.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Well isn't that strange

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press...270707-02.html

The FIAs official calendar being different to what the local organisers are saying.

[elspethhardie]

Cool Sepang quali is on my birthday again next year! That would be a nice pressie!

[HugeF1]

The Bahrain story was bandied around for a bit, possibly the Aussies saw a very early draft?
Great to see Aus starting the season off (It really shouldn't be anywhere else should it?) and also great to see the oldest GP being allowed on the calendar (France). Valencia looks incredible, and might just be the new Monaco?

[chillibowl]

Montreal = provisional....i hope that just means in terms of having a fixed date

[Knowlesy]

Yeah, that is a worry isn't it?

I'm sure it will work out though.

[Mr V]

24th August - Europe

But, iirc, that won't be at the Nurburgring, so i presume thats the Valencia round.

[Knowlesy]

It is yes.

[jab]

Sorry I didn't stick a source in - I forgot to stick one on the end, and I didn't think it would matter too much because it's all over the major F1 news websites

I'll remember for next time

[Knowlesy]

No problem.

I looked on Autosport and missed the great big headline!

[Dutton]

Yeah, the FIA site says European in Valencia (no other way it could work it, really).

The Canada asterix is somewhat concerning, but it has had troubles in the past. Here is hoping it is not crucial (unless, that is, F1 decides to ignore all its needs and standards and runs at Calgary's track ).

I still wish they would organise a Pacific GP (just dump Hungary, or something).

[chillibowl]

grandprix.com are reporting that the provisional astrix for Montreal as, "pending a financial structure that can cope with having to pay the freight costs of F1, previously split with Indianapolis."
article here.

hopefully the manus and FOM are willing to cover to additional costs in order to keep some sort of N.American presence.

[Dutton]

You'd hope so, but Bernie likes his money.

He'll do whatever he thinks is for his overall financial gain (anyone have any idea where on the scale Montreal's race fee lies?): let's just hope that equals keeping the Canadian GP.

[Yannick]

I miss Suzuka, and it's a bit worrying that Montreal is provisional. I think it's hilarious to run a street race in a town like Valencia that has a permanent racetrack that's up to F1 standards as well, like the Circuito Ricardo Tormo.
Expectations for Singapore are high, but I don't think I'd enjoy watching night races. That novelty is completely unnecessary. The keeping of Magny-Cours is unexpected, but OK with me. Still, kudos to George and Chitwood for fefusing to pay Bernie's outrageous rates, though Indianapolis will be missed. Hopefully, they'll return in 2009. Fuji, on the other hand, will still have to prove its worth when it's not raining.

[f1manoz]

Originally Posted by jab

1) 16 March - Australia - Albert Park
2) 23 March - Malaysia - Sepang
3) 6 April - Bahrain - Sakhir
4) 27 April - Spain - Barcelona
5) 11 May - Turkey - Istanbul
6) 25 May - Monaco - Monte Carlo
7) 8 June - Canada - Montreal (provisional)
8) 22 June - France - Magny-Cours
9) 6 July - Britain - Silverstone
10) 20 July - Germany - Hockenheim
11) 3 August - Hungary - Hungaroring
12) 24 August - Europe - Valencia
13) 7 September - Italy - Monza
14) 14 September - Belgium - Spa-Francorchamps
15) 28 September - Singapore - Singapore
16) 12 October - China - Shanghai
17) 19 October - Japan - Fuji
18) 2 November - Brazil - Interlagos

So, we go into November now, despite no long gaps like this year. Turkey's a bit early, and Australia's still the opener. And as expected, no returns for Suzuka or Imola

Imola is now a dull, featureless track better left off the calendar. Suzuka was dropped due to logistical reasons - the paddock was far too small, plus Toyota no doubt threw some yen at a certain B. Ecclestone.

No great surprised, but I think it's stupid ending the year with Fuji then Interlagos...

[Greenback]

Singapore is likely to host the first night race in 2008 and also a counter clockwise race.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...291134/1/.html

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by Dutton

anyone have any idea where on the scale Montreal's race fee lies?: let's just hope that equals keeping the Canadian GP.

Dunno Dutton. But if the organisers have to double the amount they raised the last time, it's gonna be a stretch and a big one at that.

I recall some (SpeedTV) interviews last race with several manufacturers, Honda and Mercedes to name just two, and the importance to them of the US market (first and second IIRC), so it's hard to imagine that they've walked away for good. But who the heck knows with Bernie? If he can find a way to screw things up....