In 2023, the World Cup will be enriched with races in Las Vegas and Qatar. The expansion course of series CEO Stefano Domenicali forces sacrifices. Monaco denies that the traditional GP is in danger.
Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali wants to gradually expand the World Championship program, in the medium term to 25 races, but even this framework will become tight in the coming years. Because from 2023, Formula 1 will return to Qatar, Las Vegas and China, and the comeback of the South African GP in Kyalami (near Johannesburg) is planned for 2024.
Logical question: Who has to jump over the blade for these races? Domencali has made it clear in interviews that no Grand Prix deserves special treatment, not even the four most traditional races that were held in the first Formula 1 season in 1950 – Great Britain, Monaco, Belgium and Italy.
Will the historic venues of Silverstone, Monte Carlo, Spa-Francorchamps or Monza have to give way to accommodate a second Grand Prix in China or another race in the Middle East? One or the other Formula 1 fan’s hair stands on end.
But Domenicali says in no uncertain terms: «Of course we are aware of the importance of tradition, but if you just rely on it, it doesn’t last long. We have to lay the foundation for the future of Formula 1. And that may mean further changes to the venues.”
The former Ferrari team boss has hinted that traditional GP organizers need to step up their game to compete against new races, and rotation isn’t off the table either – so that a historically significant Grand Prix, if at all, is just around the corner would take place every two years.
So if we assume that no race is certain, who is the biggest shaky contender? With the 2022 edition, some contracts for hosting a World Cup run will expire (see list below).
The French Grand Prix is in doubt for 2023. The criticism: The layout of Le Castellet does not allow for good races. The location of the route with access roads that cannot be upgraded is also not an advantage.
Spa-Francorchamps has been extensively rebuilt, but it is unclear whether the Belgians can keep up with other applicants in terms of entry fee. As in Monza, the aging infrastructure was also criticized in Spa-Francorchamps.
The contracts of Mexico and the Netherlands are also expiring. There is no shortage of spectators in either Mexico City or Zandvoort, thanks to Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen a full hut is guaranteed. But the race in Central America has been supported by regional companies since 2021 because no more money is flowing from the national treasury.
And then there is Monaco. For many GP fans, a world championship without a road GP in Monte Carlo is unthinkable. But Domenicali emphasized: There are no extra sausages, and the Monegasques have been getting a really big extra sausage for many years – with an entry fee that is said to be just $15 million, less than at any other World Cup race.
How big is the chance that Monaco will be thrown out of the World Cup program? Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco, said on the subject at the General Assembly of the Marshals of the Monte Carlo GP: «There is talk in the press that our race over 2022 is in question. It was said that Liberty Media’s demands were too high and that the Grand Prix would therefore no longer take place. That’s wrong.”
“It is true that we are in negotiations and these talks are concretizing towards the signing of the contract. I can guarantee that the Grand Prix will continue beyond 2022. I just don’t know if it’s a three-year or five-year deal.”
Formula 1 race times
Bahrain up to and including 2036
Saudi Arabia 2025
Australia 2023
Italien (Imola) 2025
USA (Miami) 2031
Spain 2026
Monaco 2022
Azerbaijan 2024
Canada 2029
France 2022
Austria 2022
Great Britain 2024
Hungary 2028
Belgium 2022
Netherlands 2023
Italien (Monza) 2024
Singapore 2022
Japan 2024
Mexico 2022
USA (Austin) 2026
Brazil 2025
Abu Dhabi 2030
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