Formula 1 is experiencing a boom in interest, which began on the emotional wave triggered by last year’s Lewis Hamilton – Max Verstappen duel and continued with Scuderia Ferrari’s return to the top this season. Stefano Domenicali’s London office is filled with requests from organizers interested in having a Formula 1 Grand Prix and, subject to the limit of 24 races (provided for in the Concordia agreement), the time for choices will soon come.
Before thinking about 2023, Liberty Media and the FIA are working to replace the Russian Grand Prix, originally scheduled on the official 2022 calendar on 25 September. The first option evaluated was Qatar, a stage that entered the world championship last year (November 21st) and suspended this season due to the World Cup which will kick off on November 21st.
There was a negotiation to resume the race on the date originally set for the Russian Grand Prix, but although a final decision has not yet been made, two issues have emerged.
The first is linked to logistics, given that the Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for the following week, the second is linked to the climate. In November, temperatures in Doha are acceptable (20 to 30 degrees) but in September the average indicates peaks above 40 degrees, not ideal for a race even if held at sunset.
The most popular alternative, discussed in Melbourne, would be a double event in Singapore, a possibility that local organizers have welcomed considering that on the Marina Bay circuit the availability of tickets has always been less than in demand. Obviously this solution would be ideal for the logistics of the teams, as well as for shippping costs which in the perspective of the additional Grand Prix would in fact be zero.
In the long run, there is great excitement regarding the 2023 Formula 1 calendar. The 23 races that make up the current championship are already putting a strain on the staff and logistics of the teams, but with regard to next year there is the prospect of further increasing the number of Grands Prix, which could be 24.
The departure of Russia preceded the return of Qatar and Las Vegas and with the prospect of the Chinese Grand Prix also returning, the races would rise to 25. However, there are many doubts about the future of the French stage, and if Paul Ricard were to come out of scene that would complete a calendar of 24 races.
Too many for some, and other agreements are also on the way between Liberty Media and promoters (for example, South Africa for 2024) who have already submitted their candidacy.
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To please everyone, the perspective is that of alternation, in a general scenario in which no organizer will be able to feel safe, including those of the historical races. The risks of seeing the Spa race removed from the calendar does not seem to be confirmed by the amount of updating work in progress on the Belgian circuit, an important economic investment that should have been allocated with the guarantee of the permanence of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. But the guarantee that Belgium will remain on the calendar has not yet been officially announced.
According to some media, a possible exit of the Monaco GP also appeared as a possibility, but there doesn’t seem to be a real intention of eliminating the stage in the Principality from the calendar. The Monte Carlo organizers are the only ones not to pay a single dollar to Formula 1, a privilege that in the past was granted to them in exchange for a traditional and highly glamorous showcase. Times change, but who will have the courage to take the Monaco GP off the calendar?
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