Sentul circuit reserved for 1997 F-1 GP season
JAKARTA (JP): The Sentul circuit, West Java has been reserved to host a Formula One Grand Prix motor racing championship next season, but the circuit's director Tinton Suprapto says the lucrative race is unlikely to be held here in the next few years.
The provisional 1997 calendar issued by the world motorsport governing body (FIA) recently named Sentul and Nuerburgring in Germany candidates for a possible 17th race. FIA will ratify the itinerary on Oct. 16 in Paris.
A German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport published yesterday was quoted by DPA as saying the FIA is in favor of adding one race to the existing 16, but such a decision depends on whether Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone will invest in a second monitoring network for digital television coverage.
Tinton told The Jakarta Post yesterday that despite the FIA- approved facilities at the Sentul circuit, he would not bid for an F-1 race.
"The main hurdle is not the whopping funds we need, but the absence of drivers," Tinton said. "Hosting an F-1 race without seeing a local hero on the grid is a waste."
An auto racing grand prix championship will cost Indonesia between Rp 20 billion (US$8.58 million) and Rp 25 billion, but Tinton expressed his guarded optimism that he could raise the funds.
Japan is the only Asian country so far to host an F-1 race, but Ecclestone confirmed recently that the race would come to Malaysia in 1999.
Indonesia played host to three world automotive sport events this year: the Grand Prix 500cc in April, the World Rally Championship in May and the World Superbike Championship in August.
Tinton said he is grooming his son, Ananda Mikola, to become an Indonesian F-1 driver. Ananda, 15, is joining the Italian F-3 series at the Santa Monica circuit in Mizano, which is now underway. The teenage driver also plans to race in the European go-cart races next year.
"In the next two or three years, Ananda will be ready to drive an F-1 car. That's the time to bring the prestigious race here," said Tinton, a former national leading driver.
Tinton complained of the scarcity of talented drivers who were fit enough to drive in F-1 competitions. "Most of our drivers fall short of the skills and mentality needed in such tough and nerve-racking races," Tinton said.
The 1997 season kicks off March 9 in Melbourne, and there is a new race in the form of the Sept. 21 Austrian Grand Prix on the A1 course.
With just one race remaining this season in Suzuka, Japan on Oct. 13, Briton Damon Hill and his Williams Renault teammate Jacques Villeneuve of Canada are involved in a bitter rivalry for the world championship title, before they part next year. (amd)
Provisional calendar 1997: March 9 GP Australia in Melbourne March 30 GP Brazil in Sao Paulo/Interlagos April 13 GP Argentina in Buenos Aires April 27 GP San Marino in Imola May 11 GP Monaco in Monte Carlo May 25 GP Spain in Barcelona/Montmelo June 15 GP Canada in Montreal June 29 GP France in Magny-Cours July 13 GP Britain in Silverstone July 27 GP Germany in Hockenheim Aug. 10 GP Hungary in Budapest Aug. 24 GP Belgium in Spa-Francorchamps Sept. 7 GP Italy in Monza Sept. 21 GP Austria on A1-circuit Oct. 5 GP Japan in Suzuka Oct. 19 GP Europe in Jerez/Spain or Estoril/Portugal Reserve: Nuerburgring/Germany and Sentul/Indonesia