Abu Dhabi to be the 2014 season finale

[MadisonIndyFan]

http://www.racer.com/abu-dhabi-set-to-get-2014-finale-slot/article/321802/

Who's excited???

Not me. I personally think Brazil puts on one of the better races in Formula 1, and giving Abu Dhabi the finale seems like going out with a whimper.

[Deutsch]

Yeah, not exciting. I wonder if the proximity to Europe plays a role? I guess they might hope to attract more visitors jumping over to the event. The article (or maybe a comment) also mentions the facilities.

I like finishing the year in either Brazil or Japan.

[jackinbox]

They've done it before. 2009 and 2010 both finished at Abu Dhabi. I have no problem with it as I like both tracks.

[Moid]

I like that the USGP is going to be October 26th. Will add a Halloween vibe to Austin which will be cool. Also easier to make the trip when it's not so close to thanksgiving. I think it's a good move.

[Automotive]

... also mentions the facilities.

Yea, I would expect gold billet toilets are better than cast iron drains in the street...

[Privateer]

Yeah, not exciting. I wonder if the proximity to Europe plays a role? I guess they might hope to attract more visitors jumping over to the event. The article (or maybe a comment) also mentions the facilities.

Since when did F1 care about spectators?

Anyway, Brazil's lack of proximity to Europe was I thought always key to ending the season there. Putting the season finale in the Americas means the race is broadcast in the evening in Europe.

[cpthornman]

The track sucks. Plain and simple.

[Deutsch]

Since when did F1 care about spectators?

Anyway, Brazil's lack of proximity to Europe was I thought always key to ending the season there. Putting the season finale in the Americas means the race is broadcast in the evening in Europe.

Yeah, a 5pm race (like yesterday's) is indeed tough for those of us in Europe. And given that the track at Yas Marina is also lit, if they really wanted Abu Dhabi to slip back into the evening, it could happen, despite any apparent monopoly that Singapore has on night races. In any case, Abu Dhabi runs at more-or-less the same time as the standard races during the European season - and continuity is pretty important is getting the core audience to tune in. That's one reason I always get irritated with IndyCar - I can never guess when (time or sometimes day) a race will be on.

And I never said anything about spectators - it's actually the corporate aspect that I think plays a big role for Abu Dhabi. Apparently loads of corporations host people there for the race, which is why the facilities and proximity to Europe play a role. Probably $$ from the promoters as well