F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said news on future
calendar rotation is set to come “very, very soon”, with the prospect having
been hinted at for some time.
The European schedule in particular have been looked at
for Formula 1 to rotate circuits to host races on a bi-annual basis, with
demand for hosting a Grand Prix higher than ever and the sport looking to cap
the calendar at 24 rounds for the season.
F1 CEO confirms news on race rotation coming ‘very, very
soon’
Seven
circuits see the end of their current contracts with Formula 1 at the
end of 2025, five of which in Europe – with Monaco, Monza, Spa-Francorchamps,
Zandvoort and Imola all currently looking to extend their time in the sport.
With the calendar having reached a record number of races
at 24 this season, and Madrid confirmed to be arriving in 2026, Domenicali has
spoken previously about the potential to keep circuits on the calendar on a
rotational basis, so as to not lose them from the sport entirely.
Both Barcelona and Baku also see their respective deals
end in 2026 as it stands, and with demand high from elsewhere to join the
calendar – with Argentina the latest country named as an interested host given
the rise of Franco Colapinto – the F1 chief executive revealed there is scope
to rotate races moving forward, alongside potential new host nations.
“We have some news to share very, very soon with regard
to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grands Prix
and some other new options coming later,” Domenicali said on a recent Liberty
Media investors call.
“This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the
due course.
“It is true that we have a large demand of new possible
venues that wants to come in and our choice will always be balanced between the
right economical benefits that we can have as a system, and also to leverage in
the growth on the market that we can see potential that will be beneficial for
us to grow even further our business.”
Half the events on the current calendar have a deal with
Formula 1 that extends into the 2030s, as well as Madrid when it joins on a
10-year deal, meaning a significant portion of the schedule is set for the
years to come.
But while the current Concorde Agreement, set to be
renegotiated next year, allows for up to 25 races per season, Domenicali
reiterated his belief that the current amount of races sits where the sport
would like it – with team principals and drivers alike having spoken of the
ever-increasing demands placed on those to travel the world.
“We believe that the balance we have in terms of numbers is
the right one, so 24 is the balanced number that we feel is right,” Domenicali
confirmed.
“I do believe that all the propositions that are coming on
our table is just giving us the possibility to make even better choices for our
future.
“So as always, we need to be balanced, knowing that we
cannot follow only the pure direct financial proposition, because that is
different from region to region, but it’s up to us to propose to our
stakeholders the right choice.
“I think that we are in a good momentum to make sure that
the strategy for the future is even stronger, and that’s why we are so
confident about the fact that this will help to enhance our platform on the
sport, on social and business perspective.”
Interest has also been raised in bringing Formula 1 back to
Africa through Rwanda, alongside a potential return to Kyalami in South Africa,
though circuit upgrades are required for it to reach FIA Grade 1 accreditation.
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