Domenicali: F1's demand soars, calendar could skyrocket to 30 races
Mar.31 - Formula 1 is capable of organising more than 30 grands prix per season, according to CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Currently, there are 23 races - more than ever before - with plans for 24 next year thanks to China's expected return.
But Domenicali admits that demand from potential promoters is through the roof.
"We are in push mode with everything," he is quoted by Marca sports newspaper in Melbourne.
"We are living a wonderful moment with enormous attention around the world and diversity, women, girls watching races, everything."
The former Ferrari team boss admits it's a long way from the days when his predecessor Bernie Ecclestone was in charge.
"Let's be fair," said Domenicali. "Bernie invented Formula 1, which all of us who now run this business should always remember.
"But it is a different sport now. The world of entertainment and the context of Formula 1 have changed."
Some 'purists' are worried that F1's continuing expansion will threaten some of the most historic races - like Monaco, Monza, Silverstone, Spa and others.
"Let's see," Domenicali insisted. "What we want are different grands prix from each other, with each one offering a different experience connecting the past with the future."
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The calendar is limited by regulation to a maximum of 25 grands prix per season, but Domenicali admitted that F1 could actually accommodate many more.
Stefano Domenicali
"Remember that not long ago we were at 15 and it was difficult to think of 17," said the Italian. "Now we are at a time when we could do 30 and even more, and we have requests for that.
"But we want to keep to 23 or 24 because we believe it is the right balance between demand and supply. But this happens only because F1 is growing, there is interest and there is attention."
Finally, Domenicali revealed that amid reports that three or four prospective new teams are interested in joining the sport, no decisions have yet been taken.
"Today we have 10, our rules allow for a maximum of 12," he said.
Domenicali insists he hasn't "heard anything" about Craig Pollock's newly-revealed 'Formula Equal' idea.
"We have to ask is a new team beneficial to the sport? Is it strong and robust enough to ensure it is a continual presence? If the answer is positive, we are going to add some more teams," he added.
"Without a good option, there will be no other teams."
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Why do I get a deja vu feeling from about the same time last year? Because roughly twelve months ago, Domenicali made a 'theoretical' reference that the interest level would be enough for 30.
Of course, he only referred to that number as theoretical rather than an intention or desire, yet people still twisted his words for click-bait purposes to make him sound like he'd actually want that many.
Of course, the same thing now that people want to interpret him differently for click-bait purposes.
30 will never happen because certain practical & logistical limits make holding that many events in a year impractical.
Teams can't do enough staff rotation to cover this many events, especially in the budget cap era, & as someone who used to work in a team, he certainly knows the practical & logistical limits that exist.
Besides, 24 is the upper limit or, more precisely, default/base limit, with 25 being possible only if teams voted in favor, which won't/wouldn't happen, given how negative they've generally been about GPs increasing over the years.
Thirty races for a season is preposterous. Really, pie in the sky stuff!
Domenicali has lost the plot! All he can see is money!
He's never said he'd actually want that many, so people should stop interpreting him differently.
The saying "You can have too much of a good thing" comes to mind. Saturating the F1 calendar is an irrational proposal. Exceeding the limits of human endurance leads to mistakes and mistakes lead to crashes, injuries or deaths.
Anticipation has something to do with the whole race weekend thang. By going to 30 races a year, means the F1 circus becomes another PGA Tour, which is virtually year-'round. The Saudi's started the LIV Golf Tour which offers better purses and way fewer games. Alot of the big names made the transition.
Wouldn't it be interesting to see something similar happen to F1 should F1 Management succumb to greed and expand the Championship to 30 races.
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