Hembery wants F1 to regionalise its calendar
- Published on 22 Aug 2017 15:37
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Pirelli's motorsport coordinator Paul Hembery believes that Formula 1 should have a regionalised calendar if it is to expand the number of races. Since Liberty Media took over the sport at the start of the year, it has spoken about its intent to add more races to the calendar.
Liberty has also claimed that a number of venues have got in contact over a future entry, with the French Grand Prix returning next year. There has been much talk over adding a second race to the US and also a revival of the Argentine Grand Prix more recently.
"If we increase the number of races, we should regionalise them," Hembery told Auto Motor und Sport. "So one block in Europe, one in America, another in Asia. It would reduce the travel stress, and bring formula one closer to the region because they will have a 'season within the season' for a few months in their region.
"Our research has shown that many people struggle to follow F1 throughout the year when one start is in the afternoon and the next is at midnight. A question I often hear from fans is 'Is there a race on this weekend?' For instance, we could have eight races on consecutive weekends, and then another month's break to breathe."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (6)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Dont like this idea. F1 doesn't need more races. 16-20 is fine IMO
f1dave
Posts: 782
Anyone who can't find the schedule and start times probably isn't a fan.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I like the idea of regionalizing the events. It makes sense in so many ways. However I'd say no more than 23-25 races.
@f1dave thats sort of the poin
t. It shouldnt be hard for the filthy casuals to find the times and get interested. Want more viewers? Make it accessible. It makes sense. Though they could start by moving from pay-channels..
Freguz
Posts: 160
Well I think they could change the weekend config, skip friday totally, and just have fp1 and fp2 and quali on saturday, no fp3... that would save money and make the travelling easier, and therefore make room for a couple of more races. Or change a few into better ones (Baku -> Hockenheim, etc)
kngrthr
Posts: 203
the reason for friday practice was to partially replace in season testing and do it in front of the fans.
i think its very useful for the teams and the odd young driver to experience a G.P. weekend
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
He makes some good points. European fans are spoiled because all the race start times are tilted in their favor. There would probably be a lot more bitching and less watching if fans in Europe had to watch all the races at 6am like we have to every race weekend in the US and Canada.