F1 to return to Valencia in Formula E race-sharing deal?

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Valencia’s street circuit could soon return to use under new ownership, with a plan to regain F1 and alternate it annually with a Formula E race.


The Singapore-based multinational ARC Resorts plans to invest €200 million over the next three years to create a six-star hotel and casino complex in the Spanish docks area where F1 raced from 2008 to 2012, with further plans for a golf and luxury residential estate to create what it calls "the best urban resort in Europe."

High hosting fees coupled with European financial woes led to Valencia dropping off the calendar, with the marina, which also hosted America’s Cup yacht races, now virtually empty. But ARC have already developed complexes in Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, and it was in Singapore that Marina Bay became a huge tourism centre through the construction of enormous hotels and itself hosting a grand prix.

ARC is reportedly confident it can revive the race, claiming to have “an excellent relationship” with F1 organizers and estimating the cost at €500 million, which revenues from the hotel will “more than justify.”

Given the last race’s relatively short run and Formula E’s new status meaning a much cheaper premium for hosting its races (the series is actually paying local authorities to host the London races in June), it appears smart to try and limit costs this way.

Still, Valencia’s own local government is yet to examine ARC’s proposals, so nothing looks probable just yet, and it remains to be seen whether F1’s parties would agree to sharing a venue with their electric counterparts.
Image courtesy of Pirelli
 
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Please God NO! It had a good race in 2012 granted, but lets go back to 2009 0 on track overtakes in the race now lets go to F1 fanatics Rate the race
2008. 3.9
2009. 5.3
2010. 5.4
2011. 3.8
it is fair to say, people don't like this place
 
I live in Valencia and I hope F1 NEVER return to this circuit.

Edit: Someone rated this funny. I can sort of understand how it sounds funny, but it's not.
The local government in Valencia wasted millions of TAX MONEY in this terrible circuit, the same year the money destined to education, hospitals and etc was REDUCED BECAUSE OF THE TRACK PAYMENT.

So you can understand what's the real situation here and the local opinion about this.
 
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FE might be decent on the circuit, but it would need a major redesign for F1's sake. Spain still hasn't produced a good F1 track (that isn't deadly - Montjuic). We'd be better with a French GP than another Spanish one if the godawful Catalunya circuit stays.
 
I live in Valencia and I hope F1 NEVER return to this circuit.
Edit: Someone rated this funny. I can sort of understand how it sounds funny, but it's not.
The local government in Valencia wasted millions of TAX MONEY in this terrible circuit, the same year the money destined to education, hospitals and etc was REDUCED BECAUSE OF THE TRACK PAYMENT.

Actually that is the case with many modern circuits built in Middle-East and Asia. It is a mistake in the first place to invest such enormous money to build F1 tracks, yet after they are built, there is no turning back. So i find that Valencia race organizers are trying to get some revenue out of the track is not something to stand against. Everything is a gain when you are stepping forward to compensate a loss.

On the other hand, i think F1 should not re-include this boring track. :D
 
It's maybe true that it wasn't the most exciting race to watch, but I would just want it back so I can race on it in the games lol... I always really liked driving on it altho the layout wouldn't suggest that.
 
View attachment 90145
Valencia’s street circuit could soon return to use under new ownership, with a plan to regain F1 and alternate it annually with a Formula E race.


The Singapore-based multinational ARC Resorts plans to invest €200 million over the next three years to create a six-star hotel and casino complex in the Spanish docks area where F1 raced from 2008 to 2012, with further plans for a golf and luxury residential estate to create what it calls "the best urban resort in Europe."

High hosting fees coupled with European financial woes led to Valencia dropping off the calendar, with the marina, which also hosted America’s Cup yacht races, now virtually empty. But ARC have already developed complexes in Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, and it was in Singapore that Marina Bay became a huge tourism centre through the construction of enormous hotels and itself hosting a grand prix.

ARC is reportedly confident it can revive the race, claiming to have “an excellent relationship” with F1 organizers and estimating the cost at €500 million, which revenues from the hotel will “more than justify.”

Given the last race’s relatively short run and Formula E’s new status meaning a much cheaper premium for hosting its races (the series is actually paying local authorities to host the London races in June), it appears smart to try and limit costs this way.

Still, Valencia’s own local government is yet to examine ARC’s proposals, so nothing looks probable just yet, and it remains to be seen whether F1’s parties would agree to sharing a venue with their electric counterparts.
Image courtesy of Pirelli
Good to see Valencia back on the calendar, and see someone wanna be a bird like Seb in 2010!
 
Singapore is a fantastic circuit, I don't understand the hate it gets.
It's a Marmite® track.

....... and I love Marmite :)

Singapore leaves a nasty taste in my mouth (unlike Marmite). It's probably from all the gnashing of teeth and biting my tongue as I swear my way around the track, With these modern V6's all I hear is the swearing ;)

Still this thread is about Valencia and those super-fast electric golf carts Formula E, so I'll leave it there. :whistling: ................... [/joke]
 
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It would be great to see Valencia back on the calendar, even though the races were boring and dull, it would make some good races (like in 2012). But, I'd rather stay with Baku. I think 2017 agrees with me on that one. :D
 

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