Formula One: Top 5 races to be axed from the F1 calendar

Bernie Ecclestone, who announced that the Indian Grand Prix may be axed next year, at last year’s event (Courtesy: Getty Images)

It was reported earlier today that the Indian Grand Prix, which is held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida since the past two years, is likely to be scrapped next year. The reasons for this likely outcome range from local political ones to the introduction of two more new races next season.

In the wake of this news, we take a look at five other circuits which, having received the axe, got omitted from the F1 calendar in the past.

1. Indianapolis (United States Grand Prix)

A shot of the start-finish straight of the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway from the 2007 US Grand Prix (Courtesy: Getty Images)

The U.S. Grand Prix has been in existence since 1908, but there has been a change in the circuits that have been used from time to time. After leaving the United States in 1991, post the race in Phoenix, Formula One returned to the country in 2000 with the U.S. Grand Prix being held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The track at Indianapolis is about 4.19 km in length and the inaugural race in 2000, which was won by German Michael Schumacher, drew an attendance of over 225,000, reported to be the largest ever for an F1 race.

In July 2007, Formula One and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that the 2007 U.S. Grand Prix would be the last one to be held at IMS, as the two parties could not come to an agreement. High fees required to host the Grand Prix and the absence of a title sponsor were cited as the reasons for the discontinuation of the race.

The U.S. Grand Prix would eventually return in 2012 at Austin, Texas.

2. Imola (San Marino Grand Prix)

Team Ferrari pose for a photo after winning the the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix (Courtesy: Getty Images)

The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit near the town of Imola was the site of the San Marino Grand Prix for 26 years between 1981 and 2006, after which both the Grand Prix as well as the circuit were scrapped.

This was indeed a very special track, as the area near Imola is home to several racing car manufacturers, namely Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Minardi, Dallara and Stanguellini. In fact, the track is just 80 km east of the home of Ferrari -the famous Maranello factory of the Prancing Horse. The circuit is named after the Italian company’s late founder Enzo and his son Dino.

Imola was one of the major circuits which ran the race in an anti-clockwise direction. The track had a history of accidents and causing injury to drivers. The drivers and teams were also critical of its deteriorating facilities which led to the race being taken off the calendar after 2007.

3. Österreichring/A1 ring (Austrian Grand Prix)

View of the main straight at the A1 Ring during the Austrian Grand Prix in Speilberg, of 2002 (Courtesy: Getty Images)

The erstwhile Österreichring was the host of the Austrian Grand Prix from 1970-1987. The name Österreichring literally translated means “Austrian circuit”. This was a fast and flowing track which was very popular with the drivers. But, in 1987, two accidents caused the race to be re-started twice and FIA also deemed the track too dangerous because of its high-speed corners, lack of protection from trees and embankments and accidents at the start of the races.

After a gap of 10 years, the Austrian Grand Prix returned to the refurbished Österrichring, which was now named the A1-Ring after one of the sponsors. The event continued here for 6 years till it was discontinued from the 2004 season onwards.

The event is expected to make a comeback in the upcoming 2014 season.

4. Istanbul Park Circuit (Turkish Grand Prix)

Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the 2011 Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit. (Courtesy: Getty Images)

Istanbul Otodrom in the Akfirat village east of Istanbul is one of the newer tracks in Formula One and held its first race in the Turkish Grand Prix of 2005 and last one in 2011.

The large circuit can hold a capacity of over 155,000. The circuit was one of only 5 circuits in the 2011 calendar to run anti-clockwise. The circuit and its facilities were designed by the well-known racetrack architect Hermann Tilke.

Tilke, in fact had mentioned that he had designed the track to try and catch the drivers out. And he was successful too as during the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix, most of the drivers were caught out with many spinning off throughout the race weekend.

The Turkish Grand Prix was removed from the calendar after Formula One management and the event organizers could not arrive at a renewed contract. Germany’s Sebastian Vettel won the last race held in 2011 with team-mate Mark Webber finishing second and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso third.

5. Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (French Grand Prix)

Felipe Massa of Ferrari celebrates on the podium after winning the 2008 French Grand Prix at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (Courtesy: Getty Images)

The French Grand Prix was a regular feature of the annual Formula One race calendar for many, many years, initially between 1906-1967 and then between 1968-2008.

The Grand Prix moved to the Circuit de Nevers Magny Cours in 1991, where it continued till the last French Grand Prix in 2008. From 2004 onwards, the race started running into trouble with mounting financial problems. In spite of those issues, the 2004 and 2005 races went ahead as planned, but problems continued to persist.

In March 2007, the FFSA, the promoter of the race, announced that the race had been put on an indefinite hold. Later that May, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny-Cours.