Sentul circuit reserved for 1997 F-1 GP season
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