An unspecified number of European Formula 1 grands prix face the prospect of hosting races on a rotational basis sooner rather than later, according to series CEO Stefano Domenicali.
With a record-breaking 24 rounds already crammed onto the F1 calendar, the scope for adding new venues is now arguably smaller than ever.
Domenicali has previously suggested rotating European races would be an option but now he has said such a move is on the cards.
“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,” Domenicali said on a Liberty Media investors call.
“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.”
Speaking at a Globant event during the United States Grand Prix, Domenicali named Argentina as a venue where he would like to see F1 return.
Race start – George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, takes the lead over Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Including the Azerbaijan GP, there are currently 10 races in Europe, with Italy hosting two – Imola and Monza – and Madrid joining the calendar for 2026, while Barcelona’s contract expires at the end of that year.
Recent reports claimed the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya would begin to share a spot on the calendar with the Dutch GP in Zandvoort, although the organisers of the race in the Netherlands distanced themselves from the idea.
One potential issue with Domenicali’s plan is the contracts already held by a lot of European circuits, while the financial future of some of those tracks is reliant on staging a round of the F1 season on an annual basis.
Silverstone, the Hungaroring and the Red Bull Ring have deals that run into the 2030s, for example, although Spa, Monza, Zandvoort and Imola are all up after next year. Monaco, too, is currently only signed on for 2025 but there is very little chance of one of F1’s most iconic races having to share its slot.
Conversely, with F1 currently riding high in terms of interest and revenue, plenty of venues are keen to get a slice of the action by getting their own race added to the calendar.
Eau Rouge track action
Photo by: Erik Junius
A second race in Saudi Arabia, at the Qiddiya Circuit currently under construction, a return to Africa with Rwanda mooted as a potential venue and the aforementioned potential Argentine GP comeback are just some of the locations that could be eyeing a spot if and when the European season is truncated.
The current Concorde Agreement, in place until the end of 2025, allows for 25 races a year in the F1 season – but Domenicali is happy with 24 for the time being
“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,” he added.
“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.”
