F1 appears to be like to the longer term after a rare 2024 season that featured seven GP winners throughout 24 races on the calendar. The Concorde Settlement expires on the finish of this yr, and past the growth of groups with Common Motors becoming a member of in 2026, one main matter below dialogue is the calendar, because the requests from organizers wanting to hitch far exceed the obtainable slots.
The renewal of Spa-Francorchamps for 4 Belgian GPs to be held over six years (skipping the 2028 and 2030 editions) brings to the forefront a long-standing, under-the-radar problem: the alternation of sure occasions, which might permit the inclusion of extra circuits within the F1 World Championship.
Italy is in a novel place because it at present has the privilege of internet hosting two GPs (Monza and Imola), a luxurious solely the US surpasses with three. In an attention-grabbing unique interview with the weekly Autosprint, Stefano Domenicali outlines a transparent image: “The contract with Monza has been renewed with important commitments concerning infrastructure modernization. What was finished at Monza final yr was only a needed first step. The concept that being lucky sufficient to be thought of a historic venue means you may stay outdated is flawed. Historic worth is barely significant if projected into the longer term.”
“The Monza facility should modernize. And I need to say that ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani has personally taken on these commitments, and with out his dedication, it could have been troublesome to finalize sure agreements. Clearly, there was important governmental and regional financial assist. Now we have to perceive the scenario with Imola.”
The F1 president and CEO has a really clear imaginative and prescient of the longer term. He acknowledges Imola’s contribution to the calendar throughout the peak of the Covid pandemic:
“Imola desires to proceed and carry ahead a venture. The Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit is necessary and will match into the rotation logic, although not with Monza. Actually, if Monza doesn’t honor its commitments, Imola can be a powerful different. By no means say by no means. Earlier than the beginning of the following season, we’ll outline the longer term place.”
Stefano Domenicali, in very clear phrases, outlines a extremely fluid state of affairs the place Imola (whose contract expires this yr) might tackle a rotating position with different circuits, not simply Spa-Francorchamps (however has the 2026 restoration of the race misplaced to the 2023 flood been shelved?).
The puzzle just isn’t simple to unravel, given the will to carry a race to Africa, a continent at present unrepresented (although it is a medium- to long-term purpose). From 2026, Spain goals to incorporate Madrid alongside Barcelona. In brief, challenges come up with the candidacies of Thailand, South Korea, Turkey, and Argentina, which has gained consideration with Franco Colapinto’s debut. The sport of balancing priorities gained’t be simple, and Monza have to be cautious to not get caught within the shuffle.
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