Construction of the circuit for the 2014 Russian GP is running according to schedule, apparently. Given the course isn't fully paved yet the track is obviously electronically superimposed in the pic, but at least you can clearly see the layout among the Olympic venues (also still under construction). Sochi circuit making good progress, say organisers (ESPNf1.com)
That horshoe bend is interesting, I don't think there's another like that on any other F1 circuit, is there? Hence the "Omega" name I guess..... Ω lots of 90* corners too......
The omega-shaped curve at the Sachsenring in Saxony, Germany is even called the Omega Kurve (though Castrol get their name in it on the map above) - but that is only used by Moto GP for bike racing and not by F1.
On one hand I hate the boring flat Tilke designs, COTA the exception, but with a flat design the fans can see more of the track from one location or seat. I don't imagine you see a lot of the track at Spa without walking around. But I would love to drive it.
Looks very much a street course. 3.637 miles with barely a straight. Some elevation changes would have been nice, but otherwise I wouldn't mind driving it. Looks like there will be plenty of visual markers for the drivers to hit their braking zones. Hope they will get some out of the country course workers. Otherwise them crazy drunk Russians will wave nothing but red flags. Wonder if I have any family left there I can stay with. Anyone think they'd be happy to find a long lost cousin, uncle, nephew?
I'd have to say Bernie in clink would be the best thing that could happen for F1. That being said I believe he'd still run it from behind bars.
Given that another fascist doesn't merely replace him and Bernie's time at F1 is truly coming to a close, no tear will be shed from this fan....:beer
Bernie has been very good at his job - if F1 were still run by a committee of blazer-wearing amateurs in Paris, this discussion wouldn't be taking place. But like lots of successful individuals through the ages, identifying and training up a successor seems to be a bit of a blind spot.
Yes, Bernie knows what he's doing and he's good at it, I just don't like how he does it. It's a means vs ends issue in my mind. Seems like to Bernie anything that hauls in big bucks is always justifiable...no matter who or what gets screwed along the way. Is there a financially tenable middle ground where the sport itself takes priority? I don't know but I have a sense that Bernie doesn't care.
Bingo and thusly me thinks the future of F1 will ultimately be brighter without such a peckerhead at the wheel..:screwy:
it also might be a case of "better the devil you know...." Can you imagine the cries of favoritism for the boys in red that would ensue if Montezoomellow got the call? So who will succeed him? One of his kids? Nepotism at it's finest..... Todt? A committee of blazer wearing French amateurs?
True from the way (dare I say it) Senna was treated, things weren't much better before Bernie.... But tis human nature to dislike Bernie and all little tyrannts like him......lol
Little men with huge power will always act like tyrants. Maybe we'll get lucky with Bernie's replacement, if there ever is one.
I'll make a slight adjustment here. I'm sure Bernie does care, but I'd guess these days it's because it affects the bottom line rather than because he loves F1. I don't think it's always been that way though. Remember, he was once involved in the sporting side. He tried as a driver -- that didn't work out -- and eventually owned and ran the Brabham F1 team. I don't know the origin of his money-grubbing ways but I don't think $$$ was always the motive. In fact, he spent a number of years as a team owner campaigning for team ownership of the series. However, at this point he basically works with or for CVC Capital Partners. This is a group of bankers. There may be individuals on that board who personally are fans of F1 but the board as a whole are only interested in making as much money as Bernie can arrange. Bernie is the perfect puppet for CVC, at every turn he comes up with another way to pad their collective pockets. There's the problem. Bernie is the poster boy of money grubbers but though he may be the head (or figurehead?) of the beast, CVC is ultimately in control and their motives are perfectly clear. F1 is a money making venture for them and as long as it's "appealing" to the "right" people (those with money to burn), in CVC's eyes it's healthy and on the right path. If CVC decide to get rid of Bernie, CVC will choose a successor. Let that soak in. Will they choose someone with the best interests of F1 at heart? They don't want to lose money, so yes...sort of. Bernie's successor will know who must be kept happy. Ok now I've depressed myself, but I still have hope that someone a bit less megalomaniacal in the same position will make better decisions based on at least slightly better motives. :fingerscrossed:
Bernie did a good job of pulling together a mess and making it the sport it is. But he has gone off the edge and needs to go. If Montezemolo gets the call it would be the business side of F1 not the rules side. So he wouldn't be make the rules. This has been one of the problems with Bernie, He this he can make the rules. Montezemolo has proven to be a very good businessman. (Yes I like Ferrari but I am a Red Bull fan). The next guy needs to run the business side professionally and make money for CVC. Extorting tracks and promoters, stiffing teams or playing favoritism isn't professional. Also throwing out crazy ideas just to get a reaction or your face in the press isn't in the sports best interest. I think it would be in CVC's best interest to include an advisory board from the teams like the working groups for the rules. F1 is a big business for the teams also so getting input on the business side should be a win for both sides.