Why Does Formula 1 Race At Terrible Tracks?

Formula 1 has some great races, but it also has some real howlers. This raises the legitimate question of why Formula 1 races at terrible tracks.

As I am writing this, I’ve just watched two hours of the European Grand Prix. It is two hours I want back from my life. What an utter waste. If Mark Webber hadn’t had a brain fart and driven up the back of the Lotus, the race would have been one big parade just like Bahrain.


This begs a simple question. Why does Formula 1 keep going to these tracks? The drivers have a hard time passing on tracks that allow it. If we can all agree on this, and I think we can, why go to places like Bahrain and Valencia? I’ve seen more exciting things watching plants grow.

I realize the powers that be in Formula 1 are entirely focused on greed, to wit, how much can they possibly make on race weekend, but this is ridiculous. Consider the United States Grand Prix. The races at Indy were staggeringly bad. The only place to realistically pass was at the end of the front straight. The turns in the infield of the track were akin to driving around the local mall parking lot while trying to find a parking space.



Who in the Formula 1 hierarchy thinks such tracks are good for the sport? Would someone fire them already?! I am a huge fan of Formula 1. The races at places like Spa, Malaysia and so on are great. Why is it so hard to stick with tracks like those instead of the pedestrian and boring things we see far too much like Bahrain?

Are they purposely trying to kill the sport?

Lemmy
6/30/2010

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