F1 calendar

[Tiago]

Yes yo are right, but, if fans are not happy, if they dont see F1, there is not return in money....
so they should keep fans satisfied...

[Harrison]

We both know that is true, but to the FIA money is their biggest concern and they don't seem that bothered by fans. Well... that is until they don't get any turning up at races. Look at the situation a few years ago where some races were a complete disaster with the US GP being nearly empty and some other races not able to sell tickets. At least with the current drivers it has been attracting fans, both old and new, back to the races. And this year with all of the controversy has actually helped the sport become a lot more popular.

[AlexJ]

I think once Bernie leaves F1 (he is old, he can't have long to live!) we could see a big change in how it is controlled and run. He is a business man who controls it purely from a financial point of view, not the fans point of view.

It could make things worse. Despite being there to make money, Bernie also knows his racing having entered GP, owned teams and managed drivers. Money is his no.1 priority but he knows there are occasions when short-term gain could mean a net-loss long term with fans deserting. After he's gone, the banks might be in charge and then it will be 100% money making - no thought at all spared for the fans.

What costs does that actually cover? I've heard many times about how much it costs the teams to fly the equipment and support staff out to each location, and the extra technical expenses involved with data communication..

2 race cars, 10,000kg of air freight and 20 people. Bridgestone cover the cost of flying the tyres out.

[Harrison]

I would imagine that most teams take more than that to the race weekend though. What about their third "spare" car for one?

[AlexJ]

I would imagine that most teams take more than that to the race weekend though. What about their third "spare" car for one?

Each team also gets a 4.2% share of the TV revenue providing they attend every GP. By expanding the worldwide appeal of the sport, more TV stations take coverage, resulting in increased TV revenue which the teams get a cut of. This probably makes it cost effective to do the flyaways.

[Harrison]

I bet that share in the TV revenue makes bernie cry!

[Buleste]

Come on anyone except Ferrari (Although i will allow Massa get a couple of points)and Alonso (who is a whinging pussy).

[StuKeith]

DC made a nice outburst to Louise goodman this morning in the race after massa took him out!

[AlexJ]

DC made a nice outburst to Louise goodman this morning in the race after massa took him out!

Yeah, noticed they'd cut it out of the re-run (can't think why). It was something along the lines of "He better apologize or I'll knock three shades of s**t of of the little b**tard" What is it with these Red Bull drivers and swearing on TV?

[Buleste]

They've got wings.