F1 seems to the longer term after a unprecedented 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 Normal Motors becoming a member of in 2026, one main subject beneath dialogue is the calendar, because the requests from organizers wanting to affix far exceed the out there 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 enable the inclusion of extra circuits within the F1 World Championship.
Italy is in a singular place because it presently 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 vital commitments concerning infrastructure modernization. What was carried out at Monza final yr was only a needed first step. The concept being lucky sufficient to be thought-about a historic venue means you possibly can stay outdated is improper. Historic worth is barely significant if projected into the longer term.”
“The Monza facility should modernize. And I have 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 vital governmental and regional financial assist. Now we have to perceive the state of affairs 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 needs to proceed and carry ahead a venture. The Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit is vital and will match into the rotation logic, although not with Monza. Actually, if Monza doesn’t honor its commitments, Imola can be a powerful various. 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 will not be straightforward to unravel, given the need to deliver a race to Africa, a continent presently unrepresented (although this can be a medium- to long-term objective). 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 straightforward, and Monza should be cautious to not get caught within the shuffle.
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