In a recent interview with Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali admitted that the F1 championship could potentially conduct 30 Grands Prix in the following years. This season will become the sport’s biggest in F1’s 72-year history, with a total of 23 events which are planned to take place, as the championship started last weekend in Bahrain and will end in November, when the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled.
The calendar has gradually increased in size since Formula 1 was bought by American mass media corporation Liberty Media from former supremo Bernie Ecclestone five years ago, with locations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar given the opportunity to join the calendar, while others such as the Netherlands making a return after being absent for more than two decades.
The Formula 1 Concorde Agreement states that until 2025, no more than 24 races can be held in a season, but former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali feels there is the potential for a major increase given the current demand:
‘I think there is potential to go to 24,’ Stefano Domenicali said, as reported by Sky Sports. ‘I would say there is potential to go to 30! In terms of the interest we see all around the world. It is up to us to try to find the right balance considering what are the venues which would like to be in Formula 1, what are the historical values we need to see on the calendar.’
The idea of including more events will most likely face significant opposition from many teams, but Stefano Domenicali confirmed that Las Vegas and Africa are two destinations which Formula 1 is setting its sights on. The series raced in Las Vegas in the car park of Caesars Palace between 1981 and 1984, and an agreement for a new street circuit in the city is understood to be on the verge of being announced.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection from Puma!
At the same time, British Formula One journalist Joe Saward provided some interesting updates on Formula 1’s plans for the current campaign and for the years to follow. In a recent post published on his website, Joe Saward confirmed that the announcement of Qatar replacing the Russian GP will come soon, while the announcement of the third United States Grand Prix in Las Vegas will come soon (the race will join the calendar from 2023 until at least 2032): “This will be a night race and part of the track will be a section of The Strip – he explained – “It sounds amazing and will give the US three races for the next three years before the Austin date goes up for auction again. If F1 growth rates in the US continue as they are now, that could be a fascinating battle, as there will likely be other contenders who could outspend Austin.”
Leave a Reply