Portugal will keep next year's F1 calendar at 24 races
Dec.2 - Toto Wolff thinks Formula 1's annual calendar should not exceed 20 races.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali this week admitted that he would not extend the schedule beyond the unprecedented 24 grands prix next year.
Mercedes boss Wolff, however, thinks teams need to look after its people by rotating travelling staff on calendars longer than 20 races.
"We're discussing that right now," he told Speed Week.
"I would introduce 20 world championship races as the upper limit, then there would have to be equivalent (staff) replacements in each department.
"On the other hand there are also employees who like the lifestyle of constant travel."
It was thought possible that the calendar would at least shrink from 24 to 23 races next year as China struggles with mass protests against its controversial 'zero covid' strategy.
But Joao Carlos Costa, a prominent Portuguese motorsport commentator, thinks Portimao is set to replace the endangered Chinese GP in April next year.
He said an announcement is "imminent".
"Small details are to be resolved before the FIA World Council scheduled for December 9 in Bologna," said Costa.
"What a Christmas gift for Portuguese fans."
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In one of his most recent Green Notebooks, Joe Saward noted that Algarve is a financially unviable option for another one-off appearance, but they've seemingly solved their issues.
I wouldn't mind with Chinese GP getting substituted by the Algarve circuit, although I'd also be happy about Circuit Paul Ricard for the same purpose.
Please bring back the Nordschleife! The most iconic circuit in the world can't be left behind on the F1 calendar.
I read elsewhere that Quatar was a potential substitute for China. After the FIFA fiasco I hope that even Liberty is not that $$$ hungry.
Qatar was never an option for a simple reason, which is the fact it's already on next season's race calendar, confirmed over a year ago, so I don't know how or where you could've possibly got this false & contradictory idea.
Jere, you are correct. Ignorance is no defense, but here is my reference.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/12/02/2023-chinese-grand-prix-will-not-take-place-formula-1/
I forgot to note that, additionally, the original Chinese GP weekend falls within next year's Ramadan phase, so another reason Qatar GP couldn't replace Chinese GP in any case.
Of course you are correct. In my defense, I did have a reference but I realize that ignorance is no excuse.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/12/02/2023-chinese-grand-prix-will-not-take-place-formula-1/
GP247 clearly forgot Qatar was already on the race calendar & scheduled for next season long before yesterday's Chinese GP cancellation.
Something that's already on the race calendar regardless of China's situation is automatically off & if Qatar GP were an option for the early-season phase, they would've got placed there in the first place, but a new pit building lead time proved insufficient, so impossible they could suddenly get it completed in time.
You simply fell for GP247's trap, LOL, but thank you for the link anyway.
You are correct, Jere. My bad, but I did have a reference. For some reason Leopold will not allow the link.
Fair enough
Christian should saying more races, it'll give Lucy more chances, and K George more chances to batter him
Ramadan? really...!
Yes, holding international events in Muslim countries during Ramadan is inconvenient logistically, so effectively impossible.
Jere, this is way off topic, but how is it "inconvenient logistically"? I'm curious. Thx.
I don't know how to explain this matter deeply, but generally, big international events combined with Ramadan's restrictions on eating & other stuff can prove challenging, so attempting would be unworthy.
F1 specifically avoids putting Middle East events within the Ramadan phase, which explains earlier dates for Bahrain & Saudi Arabian GPs for next year versus this year.
The year after next, Ramadan will cover most of March (10.3-8.4) & as Qatar GP will likely move to the early-season phase, all three will either occur post-ending or two after & one before beginning.
Other much bigger sporting events have taken place during Ramadan in the last decade so Im confused
But not in Muslim countries, i.e., elsewhere in the world is irrelevant. Anyway, ask those who plan race calendars.
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