Full Throttle

Be afraid… be very afraid.

This trip looking into the mental mechanations of Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone may get a little scary and there is no promise Beelzebub won’t make a cameo appearance.

Bernie has long coveted a second United States GP. The F1 Blog reports ((via HomeofSport) Bernie still has his eyes casting westward to the States and Los Wages (spelling intentional) and Chicago (?, yea right!).

At Toyota’s launch of the TF107 in Cologne Ecclestone told reporters he was “optimistic” about the prospect of an Indian GP. “The government of Delhi I think really wants formula one.”

The case for a Singaporean GP, at night no less, is still on the burner and the money bags behind that proposal have been given 3 months to finalize the deal before any consideration would be given.

That’s three, count’em, three potential new venues with the hopes of being part of the F1 Circus.

Here’s number four: The oil rich Emirate of Abu Dhabi is holding a “Tribute to the Champions” demonstration event in the streets of Abu Dhabi this weekend. On hand will be Fernando Alonso, Honda’s Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Rumors are swirling an announcement will be made by Abu Dhabi officials during the event they fully intend to pursuit an F1 race to call their own.

Number five is a certainty for the foreseeable future. Up the Gulf Coast from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain announced a long term agreement to host F1 into the next decade.

“Bahrain has not only built a venue that is among the very best in the world but has also built foundations for the current growth of interest and investment in Formula One across the Middle East,” said F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Which explains Abu Dhabi’s aspirations to enter Formula One. Both countries are in a mad financial dash to diversify their economies away from dependence on oil. With Abu Dhabi and its neighbor Emirate Dubai leading the way at the moment.

Formula One Management has already agreed to stage the first Korean GP starting in 2010. Korea’s 5.45-kilometer (3.4 mile) track is scheduled to start construction this year and scheduled for completion in 2009.

So… just what is in, on, (or is it out of) Bernie’s mind?

Six venues, one assured, one under contract for the dawn of the next decade and four in “the process”

And Bernie has said extending the season beyond it’s previous high of 20 events is out of the question. Yet he still gallivants around the world pimping the sport to anyone with the slightest hope of joining the series as a race host.

Something has to go, and yes the obvious answer is Bernie must go, but that ain’t happin’ anytime soon. He looks to be in good health and it’s doubtful he will be flattened by a Man transporter in the paddock either.

The next obvious answer is some of the “old guard” in Europe will go. Venues like Hockenheimring and N