Drafting the Circuits
Formula 1 Report
July Summer Break
By Steve Aibel
@steveaibel
Formula 1 finds itself with a semi-unplanned break this weekend. In what should be an eagerly anticipated race weekend at the famous Nurburgring, the German Grand Prix was cancelled leaving only 19 races on the 2015 schedule. This unexpected omission came to be when the promotoers at the Nurburgring were unable to reach an agreement with commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone in late 2014. Plans to move the German Grand Prix to Hockenheim were unsuccessful as they did have the proper time to prepare for the race and did not want to risk losing their 2016 date. This was the first time since 1960 that Formula 1 will not have a German Grand Prix on the schedule.
Sauber have been flat after strong early season results
The German Grand Prix will return to the calendar next year as the FIA has released a tentative schedule for 2016. This schedule showcases 21 races including the missing German Grand prix in Hockenheim. That’s the most races ever in an F1 season. Also joining the Formula 1 circuit for the first time is a Grand Prix event in Azerbaijan. Running as the European Grand Prix, the street circuit will run in the capital city of Baku and has been designed by renowned F1 designer Hermann Tilke.
The schedule will be shuffled around in 2016 with some of the races moving to new dates and 7 back-to-back race weekends which are intended to lower costs associated with the global backpacking of the F1 paddock.
Fernando Alonso’s first points at Silverstone could reenergize struggling McLaren
The Russian Grand Prix was moved from a late Fall, October slot to a date in late April into May. The race in Malaysia has also been moved from March to September. The kick off in Australia will occur later in the year with the first race on April 3rd giving the teams 3 full months off between races
2016 F1 calendar:
April 3: Australia
April 10: China
April 24: Bahrain
May 1: Russia
May 15: Spain
May 29: Monaco
June 12: Canada
June 26: Britain
July 3: Austria
July 17: Azerbaijan
July 31: Germany
August 7: Hungary
August 28: Belgium
September 4: Italy
September 18: Singapore
September 25: Malaysia
October 9: Japan
October 23: United States
October 30: Mexico
November 13: Brazil
November 27: Abu Dhabi
The calendar was released this past week after an FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Mexico City. This council evaluated rule adjustments submitted by the F1 Strategy Group and approved by the F1 Commission. The following are excerpts from the rule adjustments…
- The simplification of the power unit penalties, ensuring that the most a driver can be penalized is to be demoted to the rear of the grid – this will eliminate penalties during the race for these infractions.
- New power unit manufacturers to F1 will receive an extra power unit for each driver to use throughout Grands Prix for the season, bringing the total to five – one more than the existing power unit suppliers. This will be applied retrospectively to Honda.
These changes to the sporting regulations will come into force with immediate effect.
Manor Racing continue to attract attention…much like the little engine that could
Changes were also approved surrounding the conditions necessary to obtain the required Super License to compete in Formula 1. Essentially, more racing series were awarded points that contribute toward a Super License. Adjustments were also made for competitors within the various series reflecting the strength of the respective series. The primary objective of these changes was to make it more difficult to obtain an F1 Super License. In addition, drivers will also need to be at least 18 years of age, have competed in a junior single-seater racing series, possess a valid drivers license and pass a test on the F1 sporting regulations. The driver must also have competed 300 kilometers in a Formula 1 car. Currently Alexander Rossi, competing with Racing Engineering in GP2, is the only American to possess the Super License required to compete in Formula 1
American Alexander Rossi has the required F1 Super License needed to be a contender in F1
The World Championship battle resumes on July 26th with the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Drivers’ Championship
- Lewis Hamilton 194
- Nico Rosberg 177
- Sebastian Vettel 135
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- Kimi Raikkonen 76
- Felipe Massa 74
- Daniel Ricciardo 36
- Daniil Kvyat 27
- Nico Hulkenberg 24
- Romain Grosjean 17
- Felipe Nasr 16
- Sergio Perez 15
- Pastor Maldonado 12
- Max Verstappen 10
- Carlos Sainz Jr. 9
- Marcus Ericsson 5
- Jenson Button 4
- Fernando Alonso 1
Constructors’ Championship
- Mercedes 371
- Ferrari 211
- Williams 151
- Red Bull 63
- Force India 39
- Lotus 29
- Sauber 21
- Toro Rosso 19
- McLaren 5
- Manor 0