Full Throttle

I haven’t written anything on the recently released Formula One Schedule for the 2007 season. Primarily because the exclusion of San Marino and European grands prix wasn’t at all unexpected.

The absences did not raise too many eyebrows, for Germany and Italy had both long been rumored to be losing one of their two annual races. One thing I didn’t notice was a couple gaps in the sched, most notably between the season opener in Australia and rounds two three in Malaysia and Bahrain, before the month-long gap between Bahrain on 15 April and Spain on 13 May.

Why? The mayor of Imola, sight of the Italian GP, seems to have seen the month long gap and may have the answer.

“We’re not dead yet,” mayor Marchignoli told Italian news agency ANSA. “The appearance of this FIA document is unexpected, especially as, only a few days ago, Mr Ecclestone told the president of [Imola operator] Sagis that the race would be held on 29 April, where there is a month-long hole in the calendar.

“Everything seems to be telling us that we’ve still got a place if we get things sorted out.”

Looks like another ransom kidnapping by Bernie. He has long complained about the condition of the track and various on site facilities. By dropping Imola, at least temporarly, it puts pressure on officials to start and complete the renovations that have been planned.

The Italian government pledged $12 million for a project that would reprofile the circuit itself between Rivazza and Tamburello plus moderize some of the dilapidated facilities. To my knowledge the work hasn’t started but I’ll bet a bucket full of the best pasta lira can buy it will commence shortly if it hasn’t already begun.

Also to my admittedly poor knowledge base is the status of an ongoing court fight. In November last year an activist