Alex Holowczak's Ideal 2008 Formula One season
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by user Alex Holowczak
Last year, I did this with the upcoming 2007 Formula One season, so I thought I’d do it Madproof9 style (i.e. ridiculously early!) with the 2008 Formula One season this year.
There are a few changes to the idea – this time I have got rid of the “rotation” events, i.e. the track to be used in future years. I have also made it a tad more realistic, due to the fact a 25 race season will not happen in the future, I originally got 19 but added one on to make 20 for no other reason than it was a nice round number. I still kept with the criteria that there had to be Geographical and climatic accuracy, e.g. don’t hold a race in Canada in November.
So this is how I would do it – click on the links to see what each track looks like. Some won’t work because either they’re new to Formula One, or don’t exist yet. Also, I don’t have the copyright for them, but I will link to them on the external site I use anyway for the sake of completeness.
Round 1
The opening round has traditionally been in Albert Park, and I see no reason to move it in 2008. It is one of the best attended races of the season, and whilst the track isn’t special, it’s certainly good enough for Formula One.
Round 2
Two weeks later, we venture off to Malaysia, and Sepang. Involved in Formula One since 1999, it has become one of the best tracks on the calendar, and it has good overtaking opportunities at the end of the long straights.
Round 3
The imaginatively titled Pacific Grand Prix would take place a week later at the Honda test track, Suzuka, in Japan. Suzuka is one of the best in the world, with its fast corners and unique figure of eight layout. It warrants a place in Formula One, but Fuji bought the Japanese Grand Prix, so I’d reincarnate Suzuka in this way.
Round 4
Bahrain has been a wonderful new addition to the Formula One calendar, and the race at Sakhir would take place a little later than normal, at the end of April.
Round 5
The start of the European season takes place two weeks later, with the Monaco Grand Prix. Usually either Spain or San Marino are here, but San Marino got dropped due to my dislike of Imola and Spain was moved later in the season. Monaco is the jewel in the F1 crown, and a great race to start the European season with.
Round 6
Rounds 6 and 7 are the first double header of the season, and are interchangeable in terms of the order they are held in. The first of the two is a reincarnated Dutch Grand Prix, held at the wonderful seaside circuit at Zandvoort. It has over 50 years of history, and is still one of the most wonderful circuits in the world – alongside Suzuka, probably the best not in Formula One.
Round 7
A week later is the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps, the best circuit in the world. Recently, facilities have been upgraded to give it its F1 spot back, and this will be the most exciting race of the season. It has the longest straight, and the fastest corners, it is a relic of Formula One past that all future F1 tracks should be like.
Round 8
The start of a whistle stop tour of North America. The race in Montreal is a passionately attended affair, and is one of the best stops of the season. Another track boasting exciting racing, it is always a good race.
Round 9
I had a huge dilemma with this race. The United States Grand Prix is held at Indianapolis. Not the oval, that would be stupid, but on the infield track, using the main oval straight backwards. The alternative was Laguna Seca, but I decided not to put Laguna Seca there for no other reason than I felt it was a bit too short to host races. If it was a bit longer it would easily host the race, in my opinion. I went for Indy on the traditional side in the end though.
Round 10
The French Grand Prix will be killed off after 2007, but considering France started the whole idea of Grand Prix racing in 1906 it deserves a race. Magny-Cours is in the middle of nowhere, and is a track I dislike. The problem in France is that there are no alternatives either, the standard of both track and facilities is quite poor. The Bugatti circuit at Le Mans is an option, but not a good one – it had bad reviews the last time F1 was held there (1967, admittedly), but it is a bit too short for Formula One, and is very stop and start. I’d be willing to have it there for the sake of keeping the French Grand Prix, but I think my alternative is better. Bernie Ecclestone says he wants the race perhaps to be held on the streets of Paris. I think there is a better option still. Go back to Montlhery! In the inter-war period, Montlhery was a great street circuit, that was 7 miles long with an oval at the end of it. It still exists as an oval with chicanes and a bit of the old road at the end, but that’s not where I’d hold it. The streets around the Parisian suburb of Montlhery still exist, so why not use that part (or at least, a part of that part) of the circuit for the race? Nowhere in France is there more racing tradition other than Le Mans or maybe Reims, so I think this would be the ideal option. It would be a great coup for F1 to go back to one of the best circuits of the inter-war period.
Round 11
Silverstone is not the great circuit it once was. Brands Hatch is its superior. I would have a rotation between the two circuits as both are Formula One potential. It would also help Silverstone get its facilities sorted out. Donington Park gets a mention, but it is way behind in terms of facilities at the moment. But it’s certainly one to look out for in the future – it has new ownership.
Round 12
Rounds 9 to 12 have been the toughest ones! This is another dilemma between Nurburgring and Hockenheim. In real life they alternate, but I think it should permanently go to Hockenheim. It has many more overtaking opportunities than Nurburgring, and it has the superior facilities. It is clearly the better circuit. Both are a shadow of their former selves, but I prefer the new Hockenheim to the new Nurburgring.
Round 13
The move that every Formula One fan wants to make! The end of the Hungarian Grand Prix, and in its place, a circuit worthy of the Formula One stage. Brno in the Czech Republic hosts races in practically every other race series, and I think it would be ideal to have in Formula One.
Round 14
The best of all the new circuits, the Turkish Grand Prix will slot in here in August. There can be overtaking anywhere on the track, and the facilities are second to none.
Round 15
This would be so much better if it had better run off areas and no chicanes, but in its present form it still warrants a place on the Formula One calendar. Monza is the fastest race of the season, and always has the passionate Tifosi.
Round 16
The final race of the European season is the Spanish Grand Prix. I would move it from Catalunya though. It boasts probably the best facilities in Spain, but the track has recently been changed – I think for the worse. They have needlessly slowed down some sections of the track and I think if they went back to Jerez, which has much more in terms of scenery, and is hugely popular in MotoGP, I think it would be a good thing. Also, Jerez boasted one of the best F1 finishes of all time – there’s no reason why that shouldn’t happen again.
Round 17
A double header in Asia that would begin in China, the Shanghai Autodrome is one of the finest new circuits in the world, with a huge straight and excellent overtaking opportunities.
Round 18
Fuji is still untried. It can be here for the sake that Suzuka is in the calendar too, so I’ll give Fuji a chance.
Round 19
This was added at the last minute in order to make 20. The Mexico City circuit boasts a fine NASCAR race, so there should be no reason why Formula One shouldn’t go there either. The use of the last turn of the oval course is a good one. If it were to be in F1 though, I would have to insist is used the 1986-2001 layout.
Round 20
The Brazilian Grand Prix will round off the season at the lakeside circuit of Interlagos. The most unlikely of all Formula One venues, this race is one of the most popular, and is a good circuit to boot.
External Track Links
The tracks I don’t have copyrights for:
