There was a time when a Grand Prix was named after a country or a continent. I presume this was because as the organisers describe the season as a World Championship this suggests that it involves nation states or some sort of supranational collective. Previously, to give Italy a second Grand Prix, particularly at the circuit named after the founder of the most famous F1 team (and his son), the Imola circuit hosted the San Marino Grand Prix, a micro state which sits within Italy's borders.
Back in the day, even when the United States hosted two races they were the US Grand Prix East and West. But as countries host multiple races any pretense of a country being the host has disappeared with a Miami Grand Prix, a Las Vegas Grand Prix (back again from the horror show in the 1980's), and now one named after a region of Italy.
Don't get me wrong, a country with the F1 sporting history of Italy deserves to hold multiple races, but I do find it intriguing that the FIA make no effort to reign in the push by Liberty Media to brand all and everything associated with F1, and allow races to be named after pretty much whatever the organisers want if it helps them turn a buck.
Before the days of someone turning up with a suitcase full of dollars and saying "I'd like a Grand Prix Please" you had to run non-Championship F1 race to get the appropriate licences for your circuit. The Imola circuit was just such a track and in 1979 it hosted the Dino Ferrari Grand Prix. 16 cars took part, including two Ferrari's and one car from most other teams on the grid. Williams were on the grid but with a private entry driven by a man calling himself Gimax. Niki Lauda won the race, with what was to be the last ever outing for a Brabham Alfa Romeo. Many thought this the likely last ever outing for Lauda as he walked away from the sport during practice at the next race in Canada declaring himself "fed up with driving round in circles". He came back in 1982, tempted by a large wedge of Marlboro money which would help his floundering airline out of a hole.
I thought this may have been the last ever non-championship race, but that honour belongs to Brands Hatch and the Race of Champions run in 1983. This was a proper motor race, not some nonsense in a football stadium.
Leaping back to 2023, here's the schedule for UK viewers. I also snipped the full name for the race and look forward to David Croft spitting out this mouthful after he has encouraged us to sign up for Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Colonic Irrigation, or "press the red button" to listen to some highly paid, incredibly privileged individuals bleat on about how driver X farted as they overtook and why that deserves a 5 second penalty.
To the race! Verstappen fastest in each practice session, Verstappen pole, Verstappen win, Verstappen fastest lap, Verstappen telling us how tough it was trying not to show that his car has the performance to lap the entire field twice whilst Chrissy Horner insists it's all about the driver.
Enjoy.
Back in the day, even when the United States hosted two races they were the US Grand Prix East and West. But as countries host multiple races any pretense of a country being the host has disappeared with a Miami Grand Prix, a Las Vegas Grand Prix (back again from the horror show in the 1980's), and now one named after a region of Italy.
Don't get me wrong, a country with the F1 sporting history of Italy deserves to hold multiple races, but I do find it intriguing that the FIA make no effort to reign in the push by Liberty Media to brand all and everything associated with F1, and allow races to be named after pretty much whatever the organisers want if it helps them turn a buck.
Before the days of someone turning up with a suitcase full of dollars and saying "I'd like a Grand Prix Please" you had to run non-Championship F1 race to get the appropriate licences for your circuit. The Imola circuit was just such a track and in 1979 it hosted the Dino Ferrari Grand Prix. 16 cars took part, including two Ferrari's and one car from most other teams on the grid. Williams were on the grid but with a private entry driven by a man calling himself Gimax. Niki Lauda won the race, with what was to be the last ever outing for a Brabham Alfa Romeo. Many thought this the likely last ever outing for Lauda as he walked away from the sport during practice at the next race in Canada declaring himself "fed up with driving round in circles". He came back in 1982, tempted by a large wedge of Marlboro money which would help his floundering airline out of a hole.
I thought this may have been the last ever non-championship race, but that honour belongs to Brands Hatch and the Race of Champions run in 1983. This was a proper motor race, not some nonsense in a football stadium.
Leaping back to 2023, here's the schedule for UK viewers. I also snipped the full name for the race and look forward to David Croft spitting out this mouthful after he has encouraged us to sign up for Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Colonic Irrigation, or "press the red button" to listen to some highly paid, incredibly privileged individuals bleat on about how driver X farted as they overtook and why that deserves a 5 second penalty.
To the race! Verstappen fastest in each practice session, Verstappen pole, Verstappen win, Verstappen fastest lap, Verstappen telling us how tough it was trying not to show that his car has the performance to lap the entire field twice whilst Chrissy Horner insists it's all about the driver.
Enjoy.
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