F1 moves to remove military aviation displays from races

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n33d4sp33d_85
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:50 am

We won't see the Frecce Tricolori or Red Arrows flying over the tracks during pre-race displays because they pollute the air. Beginning in 2022, the Grand Prix organisers will no longer be able to use military aircraft for air displays before the start of the races because they pollute and they are no longer in line with the CO2 emissions reduction objectives of F1 which aims to eliminate the environmental impact by 2030....
https://theaviationist.com/.../20/formu ... -flyovers/
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Adam
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Post by Adam » Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:12 am

"The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, are not classed as military aviation and, as such, do not fall into the category of those displays that will no longer be permitted at Formula One events."
What?????????????
https://www.thehindu.com/sport/motorspo ... 307520.ece
The same dispensation is likely to apply to similar aerobatic display teams such as the Frecce Tricolori.
Ok got it, the rule will apply all the time except when it doesn't.
https://www.racefans.net/2022/01/21/f1s ... lverstone/
Last edited by Adam on Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Flightline Uk » Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:36 pm

I can only imagine the reaction of the British, Italian and Abu Dhubi Grand Prix promoters when that email dropped from FOM. Images of the Red Arrows, Frecce Tricolori and Al Fursan have become synomous with the advertising of those grand prix - even just the television coverage. And for many they are important part of the weekend experience. Didn't think it would be long until "exceptions" were made.

With some of the addtional flypasts at other venues seen in the last season, I can see why FOM may be think they need to reign in some nations. F1 is much more international and high profile than other motorsports and far more politcally involved. And considering most of the audience is on television, the flypasts and displays really don't add much to the coverage.
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Post by Adam » Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:05 pm

Flightline Uk wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:36 pm I can only imagine the reaction of the British, Italian and Abu Dhubi Grand Prix promoters when that email dropped from FOM. Images of the Red Arrows, Frecce Tricolori and Al Fursan have become synomous with the advertising of those grand prix - even just the television coverage. And for many they are important part of the weekend experience. Didn't think it would be long until "exceptions" were made.

With some of the addtional flypasts at other venues seen in the last season, I can see why FOM may be think they need to reign in some nations. F1 is much more international and high profile than other motorsports and far more politcally involved. And considering most of the audience is on television, the flypasts and displays really don't add much to the coverage.
A sound analysis I'm sure. The line that the Red Arrows are "not classified as military aviation" is clearly farcical, but there's a genuine point to be made that brightly coloured training jets that have become a cultural icon in their own right are not the same as front line operational aircraft, which unavoidably represent a given nation's warfighting ability. I too would question the motives of some F1 host countries and whether the displays they put on are really suitable.

What an entirely avoidable mess this announcement has been - seemingly either not thought through or not explained accurately, and I'm not sure the naff attempt to greenwash it has done them any favours.
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Post by Adam » Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:34 pm

Frecce Tricolori have also been given an exemption.

https://www.corriere.it/sport/formula-1 ... kLugmAmn-I
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wfooshee
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Post by wfooshee » Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:07 pm

So it's kinda looking like they're really looking to remove display of military might, with "being green" as a wink-wink-nudge-nudge let's-see-if-they-buy-into-it excuse. Those teams that are absolutely national but not using front-line fighter aircraft seem to be getting the exceptions. It wouldn't surprise me if the Canadian Snowbirds would be similarly excepted. In the US, the Air Force Thunderbirds fly F-16Cs and Ds, and the Navy Blue Angels fly F/A-18E and F Super Hornets, all of which are current front-line fighters, and able to be returned to combat service within days of receiving such an order. I doubt those teams would receive one of these exceptions.

The carbon footprint is an excuse, and personally I think they're really trying to mess with the politics of military strength displays.
Last edited by wfooshee on Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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