Stefano Domenicali gave an interesting interview about the possibility of seeing new Grands Prix in the coming seasons.
The appeal of Formula 1 around the world is growing race after race, minute by minute. In light of what has happened this season, in fact, the world’s most important motorsport competition continues to expand in every aspect.
From partnerships to contracts, and the importance of circuits, this is a central theme that Domenicali, the CEO of F1, addressed in his interview. The issue of Grands Prix has always been at the forefront, particularly the rotation of European circuits, given the growing demand from countries such as Argentina, South Africa, and the United States. The globalization of the sport is moving full speed ahead, as Domenicali himself highlighted. However, F1′s goal remains to blend history with modernity, striving to offer an unparalleled spectacle to an ever-expanding global audience.
Many circuits will compete for the spots reserved for Europe. Among the “locked-in” races are Silverstone, Madrid (on the calendar from 2026), Budapest, and Zeltweg, which have contracts through to 2030 (and in some cases, even longer). Long-term contracts are also in place for historic venues like Spa, Imola, and Monza. On the chopping block, however, are Zandvoort and Barcelona. Representatives of the Dutch circuit are negotiating with F1 management for an extension (especially with the presence of Max Verstappen), while in Catalonia, despite the arrival of the Madrid circuit, a contract renewal is considered certain.
The rotation could bring “forgotten” tracks back onto the calendar, such as Portimao, Hockenheim, and the Nürburgring, not to mention France, which has two important and historic tracks of its own. On this topic, Domenicali said: “We have some exciting news to announce very soon about the possibility of introducing a rotation for some European Grands Prix in the medium term, along with other options that will follow. We’ll clarify everything in due course. It’s true that we receive many requests from new venues interested in joining the calendar. Our decision will always be balanced, aiming to maximize economic benefits and tapping into the growth potential of markets that can contribute to the development of our sport.”
However, the goal is not to exceed 24 races: “We believe that the current number of races, 24, represents the right balance. The proposals we receive offer us the opportunity to make more strategic choices for the future. As always, we must maintain a balanced approach, knowing that we can’t rely solely on immediate financial gain, which varies from region to region, but must offer our stakeholders adequate solutions. We believe this is a great moment to strengthen our strategy, and we are confident that these changes will make the Formula 1 platform stronger, both socially and economically.”