Stefano Domenicali: “We will soon be making F1 races in Europe ‘rotational’.”
According to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, an unknown number of European Formula 1 Grand Prix face the possibility of hosting races alternately in the near future.The F1 calendar will have hosted a total of 24 races by the end of the 2024 season. That’s why the calendar for the addition of new tracks is more tighter than ever.Domenicali had previously stated that the alternate arrangement of European races would be an option, but now he said that such a move is on the agenda.
In his meeting with Liberty Media investors, Domenicali said, “We are thinking of alternating European races in the medium term. Then we will share some news about some new options.””Of course, this is an issue that we will clarify when the time comes. There is a great demand for new tracks and we want to provide a balance in further growing our business with the economic conditions that have benefits,” he said.
Speaking at an event organized by Globant during the United States Grand Prix, Domenicali described Argentina as a place where F1 wants to return.
There are currently 10 races in Europe, including the Azerbaijan GP. Italy hosts two races (Imola and Monza) and Madrid joins the calendar for 2026, while Barcelona’s contract will expire at the end of that year.
A possible problem with Domenicali’s plan is the contracts that many tracks in Europe already have, and the financial future of some of these tracks depends on hosting a race of the F1 season each year.
For example, Silverstone, Hungaroring and Red Bull Ring have deals that will last until the 2030s, but the deals of runways such as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Zandvoort and Imola expire after next year.Monaco is currently only in agreement for 2025, but it is very unlikely that it will have to share the location of one of F1’s most iconic races.
A second race at the Qiddiya Runway, which is currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, the return to Africa where Rwanda was discussed as a potential location, and the return of the potential Argentine GP mentioned above are just a few of the places waiting to be included in the calendar.
The current Concorde Agreement, which will remain in effect until the end of 2025, allows 25 races a year in the F1 season, but Domenicali is satisfied with 24 races for now.
“We believe that the balance we have in terms of numbers is correct, so 24 is the correct number right now.”
“I believe that all incoming proposals give us the opportunity to make even better choices for our future.”
“Therefore, we must be balanced as always, we cannot think directly from a financial point of view.”
“I think we have gained a good momentum to make the strategy for the future even stronger. We are confident that this will help develop our platform from a sports, social and business perspective.”