Salut Gilles; BMW Retain Pair

The Canadian Grand Prix has been scrubbed off the provisional 2009 calendar, released today. Once again, Formula One fans bear the scars of losing yet another track etched in history and provided great races

This isn’t the first time that we have lost a classic circuit. First Spa, then Hockenheim was butchered, followed by the loss of Suzuka. Earlier this year we found out that Silverstone was been axed in favour of Donington. Thankfully, Spa was rescued, although one must wonder for how long. And for what?! Don’t get me wrong, some of the new circuits are great, but they lack soul. Circuits like Valencia and Singapore – didn’t exactly offer a great racing spectacle.

The whole thing reminds me of the overused movie plot – after being given a home and a place to grow saw them flourish and became successful. Soon enough, they got too big for their boots, happy to cut off ties with those who had helped them in the early days as they make the grab for the almighty dollar. Well, if it can be called that.

Unlike the movies though, I doubt we will receive the happy ever after ending, where they learn of their mistakes and remember their roots.

In other F1 news, BMW announced that they will retain their current driver lineup. Despite constant criticism of Heidfeld, people show their ignorance with not looking over the stats that count the most – points gained. Quick Nick sits eight points behind his headline grabbing team-mate. Raikkonen is 20 points behind Massa. Kovalainen 33 behind his team-mate.

Not a bad job by Heidfeld at all. The decision does narrow down the list of possibilities for Alonso. Although, with rumours persisting that Raikkonen’s ’10 drive with Ferrari isn’t all that secure despite the new contract.

Donington New Home For British GP

The British Grand Prix will be hosted by Donington Park from 2010.

News of the switch came as surprise for most today. People seem to forget that it was recently reported that talks had happened between Ecclestone and Donington Park. It’s timing, well, definitely puts a cloud over the weekend for the organisers. That been said, it has been long known the issues between Bernie and BRDC.

Donington Park has promised a one hundred million development plan to be ready. Will that be enough? I honestly don’t know. Donington may of hosted a grand prix before, the last been the European Grand Prix in 1993, but that was a long time ago. Massive infrastructure changes need to be made to the circuit to bring it up to standard, not to mention the track. It has sort straights and tight space. By the looks of it, the circuit is hardly an advocate for overtaking in a Formula One Car.

The work starts now for Donington Park.