FIA move German GP forward in preparation for 20th race

Next season’s German Grand Prix has been moved forward one week by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, a move which has now opened up a three week gap between the race in Germany and the Hungarian Grand Prix. It is strongly believed this gap has been created to make room for the return of the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul.

Several days prior to this alteration of the 2013 calendar, Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that he was entering negotiations with track owners of the Istanbul circuit with intentions of returning the nation to the Formula 1 calendar. This would therefore see the 2013 calendar return to its initial twenty races, which became nineteen once the New Jersey Grand Prix was postponed until 2014.

During the meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, other changes were also confirmed including the scrapping of qualifying’s ‘force majeure’ ruling as well as the decision to postpone the 2017 ruling which stipulates that all cars must be powered electronically throughout the pit lane. Next season’s DRS rules were also confirmed, which states that the device must only be activated during the designated zones throughout the entire weekend, unlike previous seasons where drivers could activate the device during qualifying and practice on any part of the track.

With Bernie Ecclestone scheduled to attend the meeting later in the week, speculation within the Formula 1 fraternity indicates that official confirmation regarding the return of the Turkish Grand Prix could be on the horizon. This would see the event take place on the 21st July, with the German Grand Prix controversially taking place on the 7th July which would clash with not only the German Moto GP race weekend but also the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

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