Rome Grand Prix confirmed for 2013

[Guest]

Caps lock is activated.

[John S]

Another bloody processional street race, the unspeakable always seems to happen just when everthing else is going so well in F1. Still it's good to see the US of A is still on the aggenda.

A Grand Prix on the streets of Italian capital city Rome has been confirmed by Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone for the 2013 season. The addition to the calendar will come as it increases in size once again, to 20 races.

With 2010 hosting 19 Grands Prix - the highest amount in one season to date, as first seen in 2005 - the calendar is set to expand yet further in coming years as the 20 figure is hit for the first time.

With Rome having been named as a possible candidate for a race last year before Ecclestone seemingly drifted away from the idea, it now appears as though as deal has been struck.

"Rome will come into the programme for 2013," the Englishman told German magazine Speedweek. "We will have 20 races and the teams will be happy with it."

It is also believed that Ecclestone is still considering a return to the United States in the form of New York street race.

gpupdate.net, Today

[Alianora La Canta]

The tone of that statement implies to me that Bernie didn't ask the teams for their opinion, rather that they will be happy or else...

Hope the race is successful and isn't a complete procession.

[stealthhaggis]

I don't think Bernie will be happy until he reaches the 30 races per year mark! Maybe he's just grouchy that his mate Zoran's team didn't get in after all.

[cosworth151]

F1 needs another boring street race like a fish needs a bicycle! If he wants Italy to have another race, put it back at Imola.

As for NYC, they have already said that they don't want anything to do with F1. NASCAR bought a large tract of land on Staten Island. They wanted to build a track with their own money. NYC said "No Way!" and refused then the necessary permits. NASCAR is now selling of the land. Does that sound like they'd want to pay The Evil Troll an boatload of cash to have a race?

[Jericoke]

F1 needs another boring street race like a fish needs a bicycle! If he wants Italy to have another race, put it back at Imola.

As for NYC, they have already said that they don't want anything to do with F1. NASCAR bought a large tract of land on Staten Island. They wanted to build a track with their own money. NYC said "No Way!" and refused then the necessary permits. NASCAR is now selling of the land. Does that sound like they'd want to pay The Evil Troll an boatload of cash to have a race?

The image of F1 cars racing past the Colloseum is worth a lot of money.  As a sporting spectacle... I have my doubts.  As a way of raising the profile of F1, and bringing more money to the sport, I like it.

The same about F1 in NYC.  I don't see how it can possibly work, but if they can get the debate to show up in the New York papers, than that's all Bernie needs.  (Do you figure Central Park could be configured for a race?)

[Williamsfan]

F1 needs dedicated race circuits, not street circuits which, whilst glamorous and can make fantastic images, rarely create the racing spectacle to match.  But, having said that, F1 also doesn't need another Tilke-drome. 

[judy]

I agree that F1 need race circuits, not more street circuits. I am sure fans are yearning to see more overtaking in F1 race, not racing on street circuits where overtaking is almost impossible and the qualy grid position will determine the race results.
 

[Scott]

The tone of that statement implies to me that Bernie didn't ask the teams for their opinion, rather that they will be happy or else...

That's what I read too. 

I wouldn't get ruffled feathers yet though - plenty of races have been 'confirmed' only to be dropped later.  For all we know, the Pope might have something to say against it (I mean really, all that noise on a Sunday??  How will the followers hear the holy bells to come and praise?). 

As for New York, and the possibility of a Central Park race, there is no chance of that.  The environmentalists would freak that the largest green space in Manhattan is used for something like F1.  Racing through the streets of NYC would also run up against brick walls, I'm sure - too many traffic issues.  It's not as if NYC needs to attract more tourists anyhow.

[David]

F1 needs dedicated race circuits, not street circuits which, whilst glamorous and can make fantastic images, rarely create the racing spectacle to match. 

True words. We need more proper race circuits!!

Bring back the classics and secure the ones we have!!!!!

[Jericoke]

Does F1 need a 'marquis' event?

In America everyone knows what the Daytona 500, and Indy 500 are... even if they can't identify the drivers, or even be able to tell you the difference... and most people can't name a second event if they aren't a fan, or don't happen to live near one of those events.

IRL and NASCAR have the advantage of being basically in one country, whereas F1 is international.  Most international sports limit themselves to 4 marquis events.  F1 has 19 events, and all are equally weighted.

I know that Monaco is F1's 'crown jewel', and that Italy and Britain are the hearts of F1 fandom, and that Brazil gets boffo (boffo = really big) ratings on TV because of the time zone/relevance to the standings.  Perhaps Bernie can get the exposure he wants by creating 'majors':  races that matter more than others (double points).

[Ian]

Jeri, whats 'boffo', not a term I understand this side of the pond.

[Jericoke]

Jeri, whats 'boffo', not a term I understand this side of the pond.

Boffo means 'really big', and usually has to do with TV ratings, or box office performance.

[Ian]

Thank you Jeri, and yes, I agree, Brazil is a boffo and deservedly so. 

[PG_Gabriel]

As a newish F1 fan i must say that brazil is one of my favorite races! I doubt that the nyc race could pull through but if it dose even if its a boring street race i would be extremly happy!! and 13 is the year i graduate so i blevie i would be making a trip 

[cosworth151]

The only place in the U.S. that has shown any interest at all in F1 is Indy. Indy did a better job of putting on an F1 race than any other venue I've ever been to. The only stumbling block seems to be that IMS doesn't want to turn a loss on the event just so Gollum, I mean Bernie, can get even richer.