F1’s calendar ballooned to a file 24 races for 2024 with the addition of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
The return of Shanghai’s Chinese language Grand Prix was then cancelled because of China’s on-going COVID-19 coverage, whereas Imola’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was known as off because of extreme flooding, decreasing the calendar right down to 22 races.
The 2024 calendar is predicted to characteristic the identical 24 occasions as this yr’s schedule, with talks underway to increase the Belgian Grand Prix’s contract as a bid to return to South Africa faltered for a second consecutive yr.
Whereas 24 is the utmost variety of races allowed below the present industrial agreements, there have been considerations of F1 making an attempt to push that quantity even increased sooner or later amid unease over the toll the calendar takes on F1 personnel.
However, in line with F1 CEO Domenicali, the sequence will proceed to focus on 24 occasions.
“What we wish to do subsequent yr is 24 and I believe 24 is the precise quantity,” Domenicali stated on F1’s Past the Grid podcast. “It’s the quantity that’s required inside the market.
“I’d say it’s the precise stability between that, the complexity of the logistics and of the folks which might be working.
“I’d say that is the quantity which we should always goal to be secure for a very long time.”
Las Vegas monitor map
Picture by: Liberty Media
Competitors for calendar slots has solely gotten fiercer amid F1’s recognition increase. A complete effort is being made to deliver the Spanish Grand Prix to the streets of Madrid, whereas discuss of rotating European rounds stays an choice.
“It’s true that Madrid desires to host a race sooner or later, no resolution has been taken to this point,” he added. “That is one other nice signal of the state of the well being of Formulation 1.
“Business and technical dialogue will likely be going down within the subsequent couple of months.
“For one of the best of Formulation 1, we are going to take the precise resolution, however we have to do not forget that we nonetheless have a contract with Barcelona.
“We’re actually very, very comfortable in the best way that Barcelona is dealing with the long run due to course, it will assist them to react, to push for the development that’s wanted in any respect ranges.
On rotating venues, an choice which isn’t favoured by organisers of the Dutch and Belgian rounds however stays on the desk as a long-term resolution, Domenicali stated: “In Europe, I’m anticipating to see races the place the rotational precept could possibly be utilized.
“There are already talks with a few of them and that is one thing that within the subsequent two years we’re going to make clear formally.”
Based on Domenicali, this elevated competitors can also be forcing venues aside from Barcelona to deliver its infrastructure as much as par with a few of F1’s newer and extra glitzy venues, with Spa-Francorchamps’ refurbishment a major instance.
“Historic races will at all times be a part of the calendar, however there’s the necessity for a few of them to recognise the adjustments that they must make on the infrastructure,” he defined. “Followers are coming an increasing number of with totally different wants.
“If you don’t give them what they deserve, it’s not historic anymore, is it?
“Two years in the past, when there was dialogue that Belgium is out of the calendar. The reply was Belgium is on the calendar, however they reacted very effectively.
“They invested in infrastructure that’s associated to one of the best expertise that we wish to give to the followers.”
