My Predictions for a FOTA Schedule

(Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Well, FOTA's done. They've announced plans to break away from F1. And while the majority of fans out there continue their horridly inaccurate comparisons to IRL vs CART, I shall, safe in my knowledge that this will likely turn out more like CART vs USAC, optimistically look at the future and opine on what I think would make a good FOTA schedule, and why.

I will not be speculating on exactly when to race at any of these venues, only why they should go to these venues. Keep in mind that FOTA also probably won't be quite as specific about the needs of the facility as the FIA is, and would be open to other options. So let's hop to it.

1. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Let's get the "DUH!" venues out of the way first. Circuit Gilles villeneuve got shafted by Ecclestone and is a great racetrack. And with F1 uninvolved with Canada, securing it would not prove overly difficult.

2. Silverstone

The other "DUH!" venue. Again, got shafted by Ecclestone. It's a great track, and the fans would love to see them there. Might be a little harder to secure, depending on the FIA's dealings in the area, but who in their right mind would leave this off the schedule without making a serious attempt first?

3. Indianapolis

Again, America is a place where securing venues will pose little trouble. The Indianapolis road course produced some great races during it's time in F1, and if the ownership is willing to have FOTA, then go for it.

4. Miller Motorsports Park

Again, few headaches, and this is a course that I'm sure would suit F1 very well.

5. Daytona International Speedway

I'm predicting a total of three US races to be on the schedule due to the ease of securing them, and the desires of many teams(like Ferrari) to showcase their work in their biggest markets.

But not more than three, because FOTA won't want to spend too much time in the US. I admit I've thrown Daytona on here simply because I want to see these cars on the Daytona banking—it'd be insane. But it'd all depend on ISC. If they don't want FOTA around, there's always...

5 Alternate: Cleveland

If IRL doesn't come back, I think it'd be a great place for FOTA. NASCAR is virtually incapable of putting on a good road course show, and this track could still make them look good, so of course FOTA would put on a good show.

6. Mexico City

Yet again, few headaches. Great track, too, and if you wanted to do a massive North American swing it'd be a good idea to throw in.

7. Bugatti Circuit

Magny-Cours, to my knowledge, is still under FIA control. This is the only other circuit in France I can think of that an F1-like series could put on a good show at.

8. Twin Ring Motegi road course

The two best options in Japan, Suzuka and Fuji, both have deals with F1. And although Japan has plenty of alternates, few match up to Motegi's road course.

In addition, some fans have speculated that FOTA will, to set themselves apart from F1 a bit more, a couple of ovals will become necessary—especially with their somewhat increasing popularity in Europe. Motegi would allow for two races in Japan—either a doubleheader or on split dates—to make it easier if such a thing needed to be done.

9. Eurospeedway Lausitz

Same deal as with Motegi—and with a large number of potential track configurations, several unique visits could be arranged even without the oval should the need arise.

10. Rockingham Motor Speedway

No, not the former NASCAR track in North Carolina, the British track that's on this list for the same reasons as Lausitz and Motegi. Also a great alternative to Silverstone if it can't be secured due to some BS FIA dealings.

Side note: I do not believe FOTA will need any ovals. But since many fans do, I'm throwing such things out there for consideration. I didn't speculate on the ovals for Daytona or Indy because it doesn't take a genius to figure neither ownership would be keen on the idea.

11. Zolder

It'd take a miracle for FOTA to get a date at Spa, and if they can't, this should be their alternate.

12. TT Circuit Assen

It was designed for motorcycles, but Champ Car showed in 2007 that formula cars which can run close together can put on a damn good show here. Few circuits really express the speed of the cars the way Assen was able to do with Champ Car.

13. Imola

Like Spa, it'd take a miracle to secure a date at Monza. While Imola still has some safety concerns, FOTA will need a race in Ferrari territory.

14. Surfer's Paradise

Abandoned by IndyCar, potential opportunity for FOTA.

This is all I've got. So I'd like to see what you have to say. Comment on my choices, or add your own suggestion. We can't always focus on the doom and gloom, we need to think positive. There's plenty of reason to suspect things will turn out well, so let's get positive.

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