Turkey will no longer be on the 2012 calendar
It had become an open secret over the months. It is now almost official: Turkey will not be on the 2012 calendar. It has been a victim of a schedule too packed for the teams' liking and very low attendance.
Thus, the almost official confirmation came from McLaren as Jonathan Neale, the team’s general manager, stated: “I think it’s always sad when we lose a Grand Prix from the calendar. We are sorry to see Turkey go.”
This follows the release by the FIA of a list containing only 20 races, as Jean Todt had announced shortly after the first draft of next season’s calendar was released. The disappearance of Turkey follows the end of its current contract at the end of this season. The contract was not renewed due to the event suffering from a chronic lack of spectators. The fact that the circuit is located on the eastern shore of Istanbul does not help make it popular with team staff and the few spectators who attend, as it forces them to face the notorious Istanbul traffic jams.
However, from a strictly sporting point of view, the circuit was a real success as it is often considered one of architect Hermann Tilke’s most beautiful achievements (which, admittedly, doesn’t mean much when you look at all his creations…). Its Turn 8, with its four apexes, had thus become part of the list of the most challenging turns for drivers.
But the teams nevertheless pushed to limit the number of events to only 20. From a personal point of view, we will certainly regret it since we really loved this destination and the culture, and it certainly had a lot to offer to F1. The calendar has 20 races this year, and 21, as a small team, would certainly have been too much. It was therefore necessary to make a choice since it represents additional expenses, both in terms of transporting equipment and accommodating staff, acknowledges Graeme Lowdon, the team manager of Virgin Racing.
For Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s chief engineer, the risk is that too many permanent circuits may be sacrificed in favor of urban and temporary circuits. “It’s a shame since Turkey is a good circuit, an enjoyable one from the car and drivers’ perspective. I think it’s essential that we don’t go too far towards temporary circuits. F1 as an industry supports permanent circuits. I’ve heard that Barcelona might be lost to Valencia. I think it would be a tragedy to end up on a temporary circuit in Valencia rather than the permanent circuit in Barcelona,” says the Briton.
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
