Oliver White
Click here to see the current calendar and an up-to-date version of the proposed 2007 listings.
The FIA have announced the 2007 Formula One calendar, and this one is certainly going to cause some controversy. We have known for a while that Suzuka was being replaced with Fuji, but I think having it announced like this is just the confirmation I have not been looking forward to. Suzuka is not featured on the calendar anywhere and personally, I find that to be a disgrace.
We have a return to Melbourne, Australia for the season opener. They have always put on a terrific show in the past, and while Bahrain didn’t do a bad job this year, I have always like Australia at the beginning. One notable circuit missing from the calendar is San Marino. Imola usually hosts the first round of the calendar in Europe, but next year Spain will be given this honour at Catalunya. Another circuit to be omitted from 2007 is the Nurburgring. The European Grand Prix is no more, at least for the time being anyway.
Australia – Albert Park – March 18th
Malaysia – Sepang – April 8th
Bahrain – Sakhir – April 15th
Spain – Catalunya – May 13th
Monaco – Monte Carlo – May 27th
Canada – Montreal – June 10th
United States – Indianapolis – June 17th
France – Magny Cours – July 1st
United Kingdom – Silverstone – July 8th
Germany – Hockenheim – July 22nd
Hungary – Hungaroring – August 5th
Turkey – Istanbul – August 26th
Italy – Monza – September 9th
Belgium – Spa Francorchamps – September 16th
China – Shanghai – September 30th
Japan – Fuji – October 7th
Brazil – Interlagos – October 21st
17 races for 2007, but I think room could be made for Suzuka, although it is nice to see the return of Spa Francorchamps.
I think it’s about time the San Marino and European Grands Prix were dropped. There is no reason for Italy and Germany to have two races when there are so many circuits in the world vying for a slot on the calendar.
Have you seen the article on GrandPrix.com suggesting that the calendar released today might be incomplete as it leaves room for Suzuka to slot in early on in the season? I agree that leaving Suzuka out of the calendar would be a travesty, even though this is inconsistent with my views about San Marino / Europe.
And it is great to see Spa back on the calendar!
Thanks doctorvee, a good article on GrandPrix.com. The calendar is provisional and it does allow for Suzuka to be added back in the guise of an Asian or Pacific Grand Prix if they can agree on it. But does that not mean that Japan will have two races, just like how Germany and Italy effectively have had for recent years?
And yes, I agree, Spa is welcome return to Formula One. Long may Eau Rouge and Blancimont be challenged by F1 drivers…
I know San Marino isn’t actually Italy, but in all honesty, it might as well be for Formula One speak. Apologies to any San Marino residents reading this! 😉
Well, Imola is still in Italy. The GP was only called ‘San Marino’ because there was already an Italian GP!