Formula 1 is experiencing a surge in the number of races, and this trend will continue next season with a record-breaking 24 races. This increase in the calendar is unprecedented in the history of the sport.
The 2023 Formula 1 schedule initially had 23 events, with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being canceled due to extreme rainfall. However, the race will make its return on May 19, 2024, at the Imola circuit in Italy, becoming the seventh race of the year.
In addition, the Chinese Grand Prix, which last took place in 2019, will be back on the calendar. Formula 1 has a contract with the Chinese race promoter until 2025, and the upcoming Grand Prix will take place on April 21, marking the fifth race of the season.
Zhou Guanyu of China, who drives for Alfa Romeo, expressed his excitement for the return of the Chinese Grand Prix, stating, “Now there’s a lot of people really into racing and Formula 1 who can’t wait to go back there — also myself — for the Grand Prix.”
The 2023 calendar retains the other 22 Grands Prix, with 15 of them taking place outside of Western Europe, where most of the sport’s personnel are based. The season will commence on March 2 in Bahrain and conclude on Dec. 8 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of Formula 1, explained, “There is huge interest and continued demand for Formula 1, and I believe this calendar strikes the right balance between traditional races and new and existing venues.”
Efforts have been made to regionalize the calendar, reducing travel to aid sustainability. Some events, such as those in Japan, Azerbaijan, and Qatar, have been rescheduled to ease travel.
However, there are still some logistical challenges. The three events in the United States are spread out, with Miami on May 5, Austin, Texas on Oct. 20, and Las Vegas on Nov. 23. Australia, the third round on March 24, is also distant from other events, but Japan follows shortly after on April 7. Canada, the ninth round on June 9, is another standalone event among a series of European races.
Several drivers have expressed their resignation towards the expanded schedule.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull remarked, “It’s too many [races] for me, but we just have to deal with it. I think it’s a bit more logical the way it’s planned at least, so I guess that’s better for everyone.”
Lando Norris of McLaren also acknowledged the high number of races, saying, “I’d say 24 is a lot. If I had to put like a perfect number, I would say it’s probably closer to 20. For the lives of mechanics, engineers, everyone that travels, they’re away from their families, kids and so on, for so many days, more days than us as drivers are away, so it’s tougher for them.”
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin participated in his first Grand Prix in 2001 when there were 17 events, six of which were held outside of Europe. He shared his viewpoint, stating, “I understand the benefits of 24 races and the reasons behind it. There’s a lot of interest in Formula 1, a lot of demand, so it’s good to go to new countries, new races, and there is new revenue. But I think for team members, 18 is a good number. More than 18-19, and you start stressing the mechanics, the media. Everyone is just on the back foot from February to December.”
Teams employ staff rotation strategies to provide some time off for their members. Additionally, there is a nine-day winter factory shutdown when the car development sites must be mostly closed, as well as a 14-day August recess. Drivers and other personnel are also mindful of oversaturation, especially with the inclusion of sprint races held the day before the main event at six Grands Prix this year.
Striking a balance between preserving historic venues like Monaco and Silverstone and exploring new locations is an ongoing challenge. Formula 1 has long-term contracts with its Middle Eastern events, extending into the 2030s. However, older European races have shorter deals, and some, like France and Germany, have been discontinued. Monaco and Italy’s contracts expire after 2025, while Belgium’s contract ends this year.
Regarding this matter, Stoffel Vandoorne, an Aston Martin and McLaren reserve driver, remarked, “The sport is looking to expand their calendar more and more, and you can see a lot of the new venues that are coming to Formula 1 are quite commercial venues, like Miami or Vegas this year. They’re big places that they’re going to, and I think that’s fine, absolutely fine, but I still think there needs to be a combination of both on the calendar, to retain these races, like Spa [in Belgium], like Suzuka [in Japan], that are the proper old-school tracks.”
The addition of races is not a new phenomenon in Formula 1. Saudi Arabia and Qatar joined in 2021, Miami in 2022, and Las Vegas this year. Each race promoter pays a hosting fee to Formula 1, boosting revenues, which in turn increases prize money for teams.
While the Concorde Agreement limits the annual number of Grands Prix to 24, Formula 1 continues to explore other venues.
Formula 1 has long been interested in returning to Africa to have a presence on most continents. The Kyalami circuit in South Africa hosted its last Grand Prix in 1993.
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