F1 CEO: 'Potential for thirty F1 races and return to Africa'
- GPblog.com
Stefano Domenicali sees potential for Formula 1 to put together a calendar of thirty races. The Formula One CEO is getting all kinds of offers from circuits and is also looking at the possibility of racing in Africa.
Thirty Formula 1 races
The F1 calendar is getting bigger by the year. In 2022 the season will consist of a record number of 23 races and F1 is not satisfied with that yet. Until 2025 F1 can organize a maximum of 24 races since that is what was agreed in the Concorde Agreement, but Domenicali shows in everything that he hopes for more.
''Very soon we are going to tell everyone what is our strategy to develop that market,'' Domenicali said in conversation with Martin Brundle of Sky Sports. The former Ferrari boss states that not only the mentioned Las Vegas is in the running, but also more countries and cities are interested. A return to Africa is also an option.
Return to Africa
The last time a race was held in Africa was in 1993 at the South African circuit of Kyalami. ''I think there is a potential also to be in Africa soon. There is a lot of interest there. For sure that's another area that so far is missing in the geography of our calendar,'' the CEO said.
Although Domenicali speaks of finding the right balance, he also sees potential for F1 to reach thirty races with the interest that is there. However, the Italian also acknowledges that historic circuits and venues need a place on the F1 calendar and also that there will not be too much pressure on the shoulders of F1 employees.
Because F1 is only allowed to host 24 races until 2025, the current circuits on the calendar will also be critically examined. ''There are some promoters who have expiring agreements, and probably some of the current grands prix will no longer be part of the calendar,'' Domenicali concludes.