Domenicali confirms European Formula 1 race rotation coming soon

The number of races on the F1 calendar has increased steadily over the years and has reached a record 24 grands prix in 2024, but with many venues and countries approaching Formula One Management with requests to host new races, it seems the only solution would be to rotate races in Europe.

Speaking during a Liberty Media investors call, Domenicali said: "We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later.

"This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course. It is true that we have a large demand of new possible venues that want to come in and our choice will always be balanced between the right economical benefits that we can have as a system and also to leverage the growth on the market that we can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow even further our business," he explained.

F1 currently has ten races in Europe: Britain, Hungary, Austria, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Monaco, Spain, Belgium, and two races in Italy.

Some of these races have long-term contracts, while others' contracts run out as soon as 2025. Madrid will be added to the calendar in 2026.

Other venues outside Europe are under discussion, with Argentina being the latest, not to mention the new Qiddiya track under construction in Saudi Arabia. There are also talks about a race in Africa with Rwanda hosting the post-season awards gala this year.

This would make matters tricky for Domenicali and Co. when choosing which races to rotate, as there are some that should not be touched, historical venues; Monza, Silverstone, Spa, and Monaco, for example.

But the F1 boss insists the solution will not mean an increase in the number of races despite the current Concorde Agreement, valid until 2025, allowing for 25 races a year per F1 season.

In a Globant event over the US Grand Prix weekend, the Italian said: "We believe that the balance we have in terms of numbers is the right one, so 24 is the balanced number that we feel is right.

"I do believe that all the propositions that are coming on our table is just giving us the possibility to make even better choices for our future.

"So as always, we need to be balanced, knowing that we cannot follow only the pure direct financial proposition, because that is different from region to region, but it's up to us to propose to our stakeholders the right choice.

"I think that we are in a good momentum to make sure that the strategy for the future is even stronger, and that's why we are so confident about the fact that this will help to enhance our platform on the sport, on social and business perspective," Domenicali concluded.