According to Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, the race calendar could soon look very different: Four traditional races are under contractual pressure
The Formula One calendar could get a completely new look in the medium term, at least believe the words of series boss Stefano Domenicali.
“There are some promoters whose contracts are coming to an end and probably some of the current Grands Prix will no longer be part of the calendar. Others will remain, but in a different form, for example alternating between different circuits,” Domenicali announced.
Such a rotation principle was practised in Germany for a few years from 2007, when Hockenheim and the Nürburgring alternated annually. Domenicali’s statement is particularly striking because the Concorde Agreement sets a maximum number of 25 races. So there would still be capacity for more new tracks.
The decisions regarding the calendar “will be announced soon,” reveals Domenicali, “and you can expect some new Grands Prix. However, it’s still not easy to plan everything in advance. If we take China for example, we have to try to understand what the situation will be in terms of Corona in the future.”
By these comments, anything seems possible in the Formula One racing calendar of the future. Even traditional Grands Prix are having to fear for their future. According to reports, France, Monaco, Belgium and Mexico have yet to extend their contracts beyond this year. Domenicali hardly provides reassurance when he says the following:
Traditional courses under pressure because of new tracks
“We know that we have to balance the arrival of new races with historic Grands Prix and circuits that must continue to be part of our calendar. The offers of new organisers have an advantage for the F1 platform: they force the organisers of traditional Grands Prix to raise their level of quality in terms of what they offer to the public, the infrastructure and the management of the event.”
“It is no longer enough to have a [calendar] tribe. You also have to show that you can compete.” And that’s what some tracks have done thanks to the Corona pandemic. Imola has secured a place on the calendar until 2025, Portimao has emerged as a top alternative and Istanbul has made it back onto the Formula One map.
On the other hand, booming markets or high-paying customers like the United States or Qatar are also still on the radar of the premier class. “The interest that Formula One is experiencing today in the USA has never been there before,” Domenicali therefore explains. “It would be wrong for us not to take advantage of this opportunity. “
“And we are trying to understand how to deal with this growth. There is also a lot of interest in the Far East. The arrival of Guanyu Zhou in Formula One is attracting attention and doesn’t surprise us.” The Chinese driver’s imminent debut has generated “new enquiries” from the Middle Kingdom, Domenicali proudly tells us.
The race calendar for the 2022 Formula One season includes a record 23 races. The only new circuit this year is Miami. A Grand Prix in Las Vegas is to be added in 2023, and Qatar is also to be a fixture from next season onwards.
