Motorsport’s top flight has confirmed that it will not turn its back on Europe in the future, despite the fact that it hopes to significantly increase the number of races held in Africa, Asia and, of course, also in the United States.
According to CEO Stefano Domenicali himself, holding a race in Kyalami, South Africa, is on the to-do list and could already feature on the 2023 calendar.
Under current regulations, the Formula 1 calendar can have a maximum of 24 races in the same year. For 2023, the arrival of Las Vegas and Qatar is confirmed. In addition, the rights holder, Liberty Media , wants to expand into many other markets, something that could inevitably put some traditional races in Europe at risk.
This great interest could welcome, as Domenicali recognized a few weeks ago, the rotation events. For example, the French GP could be held every two years, alternating its position with the Belgian GP , which is also rumored to lose its fixed place.
The future of the Monte Carlo street circuit is also in doubt. With races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas , the American expansion appears to be complete, at least for now, with Africa and Asia being the regions now on F1’s agenda.
These were the words of Domenicali in this regard: “There are several regions in the world that want to enter Formula 1 and I think that one area in which we want to develop is Africa. We are a world championship and this is a location in which we are not yet present”.
In fact, it seems that the highest category would like to have a grand prix on the African continent as soon as possible, although without downplaying the importance of the old continent: “But, of course, we don’t want to lose sight of Europe. We have our roots here and it will continue to be so,” added Domenicali at the Business of F1 Forum , which the Financial Times and Motorsport Network organized during the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
At the moment, Formula 1 is in one of its best moments commercially, as it has many options for the calendar: “I can only say that we will make all the right decisions. We think about our DNA and also about which promoters they want to be with U.S”.
Chloe Targett-Adams , who was responsible for negotiating the top-flight races, said she agreed with Domenicali: “We are a global sport and we have to act like it. We have been working for many years to get back to Africa.”
“It will be an important step in strategically positioning F1 around the world.” Without forgetting, like the CEO, the old continent: “But obviously, we will keep the central countries of Europe,” he concluded.
