F1 – The French and Belgian Grands Prix threatened?
The future of Formula 1 may not go through Le Castellet and Spa-Francorchamps.
Towards major upheavals in the calendar? Between the Grand Prix of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has hinted at the future destinations of the discipline. The F1 boss quoted Las Vegas, South Africa or China as next lands of conquest for the world championship. He envisages an extended calendar… in which certain well-known addresses could disappear.
» I think there is a potential to go to 24 races. I would even say that there is a potential to go up to 30, indicates Stefano Domenicali to our colleagues from Sky Sports. It’s up to us to try to strike the right balance considering which venues would like to be in F1 and which historical values we need to have on the calendar. Some promoters have agreements that are about to expire, and probably some of the current races will no longer be part of the calendar. »
France and Belgium on waivers
Dutch journalist Erik Van Haaren gives more details. In an article in the Amsterdam daily De Telegraaf, he indicates that Formula 1 intends continue its journey for several seasons on the Zandvoort circuit. Logical, given the interest aroused by Max Verstappen and the fabulous atmosphere of the first modern edition disputed in the dunes last year.
📝 #F1 wil nog jaren door in Zandvoort. Tegelijkertijd zitten Spa-Francorchamps en Frankrijk op de Schopstoel. In Spa iets meer hoop op nieuw contract na schrappen Rusland.
Race in Las Vegas waarschijnlijk snel aangekondigd. ⬇️https://t.co/PNW6hQodAb #telegraafpremium
— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) March 23, 2022
In contrast, the maintenance of the French and Belgian Grands Prix seems much more compromised. « Spa has more hope of receiving a new contract after the abandonment of Russia », indicates the journalist on Twitter. The Belgian route has also carried out major works this winter, with in particular the erection of a stand directly above the Raidillon.
the Grand Prix de France, contested since 2018 on the Castellet circuit, is therefore the most threatened according to De Telegraaf.
One thing is certain in the short term. the Sochi Russian circuit and its theoretical replacement – Igora Drivenear Saint-Petersburg – will not be on the calendar in the coming years due to the war in Ukraine.
Photo: Icon Sports
To read on auto-moto.com:
Who are the drivers entered in F1 in 2022?
Formula 1 2022: the major novelties of a record season
Formula 1 2022: what are the objectives of each team?
2022 F1 calendar: GP dates and times
