The draft F1 calendar for '14 "has been published with no Grand Prix of America in the waterfront of New Jersey but with the addition of Sochi in Russia, Mexico and Austria," according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. As published, there are "21 venues on the schedule, which would add two more dates to the already gruelling 2013 roster of 19 grands prix." It is expected that not all "will make it over the line with the calendar yet to be approved by the FIA later this month." South Korea, which "has staggered onto the schedule for next month, is still there, although brought forward to the fourth race of the year." The race in Mokpo "is likely to be a makeweight, though, designed to step in if other races fail with contracts still to be signed and the circuit embroiled in a financial struggle." Meanwhile, brows "will be furrowed in Texas where the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin finds a new race in Mexico City positioned just a week before their event." Organizers in Austin "hoping for big numbers from across the Mexican border to help boost crowds now find they have a direct competitor almost on their doorstep" (LONDON TIMES, 9/5).
TEXAS TWO-STEP: A spokesperson for the Austin-based Circuit of the Americas told SBD Global that the Texas race was hoping another North American race would enhance its second running. "We believe that additional races in the Americas will only serve to raise the profile of Formula 1 racing in our region and create more opportunities for U.S. F1 fans to watch races that happen in their own time zones, which is a significant convenience. Growing the F1 fan base in North, Central and South America helps everyone connected to the sport" (HJ Mai, SBD Global). AUTOSPORT's Jonathan Noble reported "as has been widely expected, the season will start in Australia on March 16 for the traditional double-header with Malaysia" (AUTOSPORT, 9/5).
NEW PLACES: In London, Paul Weaver reported F1's "return to Mexico City for the first time in 22 years in a move that would not only delight some of the sport's most passionate fans" but also McLaren driver Sergio Pérez, who is from Guadalajara. Pérez said, "I hope to see a grand prix here soon. It would be a great opportunity for the country. There's a lot of enthusiasm for F1 in Mexico. People would love it" (GUARDIAN, 9/5). Also in London, Tom Cary reported the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place at the Black Sea resort of Sochi after next year's Winter Olympics, "is in doubt after a dispute between organisers and the national motorsports authority." The Mexican race, meanwhile, "has a lot of work to do if it is to go ahead given the state of disrepair into which the Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez has fallen" (TELEGRAPH, 9/5). In Barcelona, Raymond Blancafort reported a provisional calendar leaked by Autosport indicates that the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix will take place in Barcelona on May 11 (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 9/5).
PROVISIONAL 2014 F1 CALENDAR
March 16 - Australia (Melbourne)
March 23 - Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6 - China (Shanghai)
April 13 – Korea* (Korea Int'l Circuit)
April 27 – Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 11 – Spain (Barcelona)
May 25 – Monaco (Monaco)
June 8 – Canada (Montreal)
June 22 – Austria (Red Bull Ring)
July 6 – Great Britain (Silverstone)
July 20 – Germany (Hockenheim)
July 27 – Hungary (Budapest)
Aug.24 – Belgium (Spa)
Sept. 7 – Italy (Monza)
Sept. 21 – Singapore (Marina Bay)
Oct. 5 - Japan (Suzuka)
Oct.19 – Russia* (Sochi)
Oct. 26 – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
Nov. 9 – Mexico* (Mexico City)
Nov. 16 – U.S. (Circuit of the Americas)
Nov. 30 – Brazil (Interlagos)
*(subject to confirmation of track/contract)
