Max Verstappen has questioned System 1’s current push for metropolis centre road races, warning in opposition to the lack of “iconic” circuits corresponding to Spa-Francorchamps.
As F1 enjoys a reputation growth, extra venues are expressing an curiosity in holding a Grand Prix, and are ready to pay what’s demanded of them.
The present F1 season is ready to run to 22 races, with the present Concorde Settlement, which expires in 2025, permitting for a most of 24 Grands Prix per yr.
In 2023, F1 will head to Las Vegas for an evening race alongside the well-known Strip, whereas Qatar may also return at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue after the soccer World Cup.
China is but to make its comeback, however given the significance of the market, and as soon as the COVID-19 state of affairs is beneath management, F1 will return to Shanghai.
F1 can also be locked in advanced negotiations over a South African Grand Prix at Kyalami – with a deal but to be struck.
Because of the additional curiosity and new/returning races, European-based circuits corresponding to Paul Ricard and Spa are deemed weak to the chop.
Verstappen finds this unpalatable, warning in opposition to the rise of road venues.
Spa is iconic and F1 ought to rethink, says Verstappen
“It is unhappy, initially. [Spa] is my favorite observe and I feel it’s only a nice observe to drive,” the reigning World Champion defined to media together with RacingNews365.com.
“I perceive that to get there in comparison with different tracks it is most likely a bit of harder typically with the site visitors, but it surely’s a really iconic observe.
“I do not need to see myself in 2028 or no matter driving on road circuit near town only for the fan engagement, since you want these type of iconic tracks on the calendar.
“In fact, I perceive that everybody desires to earn cash, however there’s additionally a restrict to that as a result of it is necessary to maintain these actually cool circuits on the calendar as a substitute of simply driving on road circuits.
“I feel F1 automobiles are usually not designed for [racing on street tracks] anyway.”
The rise of road circuits in F1
Over the previous few seasons, F1 and proprietor Liberty Media have tried to extend the variety of road tracks within the championship and take Grand Prix racing to so-called ‘vacation spot cities’.
Races in Saudi Arabia, Miami and Las Vegas have been introduced, whereas the Vietnamese Grand Prix was deserted because of political and authorized causes with out automobiles ever taking to the observe in Hanoi.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix additionally joined the calendar, though this was a deal struck beneath the earlier possession of F1, with Baku now a well-liked cease on the calendar.
As well as, F1 is ready to modify from the Losail Worldwide Circuit in Qatar to a purpose-built road observe for 2023.
It implies that road tracks, full or partial, may make up slightly below half of all races within the close to future, together with venues corresponding to Australia, Monaco and Singapore.