Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLotus F1

Historic circuits 'vital' to F1, says Gastaldi

Lotus F1 Team Deputy Team Principal Federico Gastaldi insists that historic venues like Spa-Francorchamps are essential to the wellbeing of F1.

"These tracks are the lifeblood of Formula One," said Gastaldi just days before the team departed for one of the most iconic and best loved circuits of them all currently on the Formula One calendar - Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

"There wouldn’t be a tennis season without Wimbledon or a golf season without the Masters at Augusta," he pointed out.

"These circuits need to be maintained in Formula One because the fans identify with them so much and they nearly always create excitement," he added. "In my opinion it is vital [to keep them.]

"Formula One should be about variety in every context while at the same time being relevant to partners, fans and teams alike.

"I think we have a good balance of tracks in Formula One. Some traditional like Spa, Silverstone and Monza, some great street circuits like Monaco and Singapore and then newer Formula One markets like Russia, the Middle East and the US."

Asked what it was about a circuit like Spa that made it so special, Gastaldi was emphatic in his response.

"Simple, the track. The atmosphere is unique as well, but ultimately Spa is all about the challenge that it presents to the drivers. Just watching them attack the classic corners like Eau Rouge and Pouhon is a thrill.

"It must be amazing to drive this rollercoaster in the forest; it’s like the track reflects the ups and downs of everything in Formula One.

"Spa also has a good feeling in the paddock too because everyone is refreshed from the summer break and there is a sense of renewed energy for the rest of the year," he added.

"We’ve seen so many times over the years the epic races that have played out at Spa - Michael Schumacher making his début there in 1991, then winning the Grand Prix with us as Benetton the following year, Damon Hill winning Jordan’s first race or our former driver Giancarlo Fisichella coming so very close to winning there in 2009.

"It’s a great place to be and always delivers a superb spectacle."

Wolff wants iconic F1 venues retained

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.