British business magnate Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the Formula One Group, feels that Formula 1’s overweight and oppressive race schedules are damaging the sport.
Current Formula 1 management is targeting more than 22 Grands Prix per season: before the end of the 2021 championship, seven more races are scheduled to take place with only three free weekends during that period in total until the Abu Dhabi finale.
“This is how you annoy even the biggest fans and destroy interest in the TV too,” Bernie Ecclestone said. “18 races is enough. But now you’re destroying many families with this unnecessary stress and trampling on your health.” – he explained.
The series had only 16 races on its schedule as recently as 2003. There have been at least 20 races on the F1 schedule since 2016. The 2021 schedule is at at record 22 races, and all signs point to a 23-race schedule for 2022.
“I can anticipate that, for sure, the calendar will be done with 23 races,” – Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports. “Of course we will be very respectful towards the COVID regulations issued around the world from the different governments. But that is our aim that F1 can give this sign of hope and to go to normal things to enjoy.”
While many would like to see the Formula 1 schedule trimmed, the trend seems to be that future schedules could push the number of races to as many as 25. Already, Formula 1 has signed a 10-year contract this year for new future venues at Qatar and Miami. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix officials are racing to ready a new circuit at Jeddah for a first-time event in December.
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