Mercedes Formula 1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff has discussed the possibility of expanding the number of grands prix in the United States.
While the Las Vegas Grand Prix was added to the calendar in 2023 to join Miami and Austin as cities hosting F1 races in the United States, there have been reports that a fourth US race could be introduced. Although this has not been confirmed, rumours began to circulate that Chicago or New York could be considered for the opportunity.
Despite the rumours, Wolff argued that three is the maximum number of races there should be in America, backing F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s stance.
“I think three is the max, three races. I think what Stefano Domenicali does very well is balancing the geographical footprint of Formula 1,” Wolff explained during the Autosport Business Exchange New York event.
“We’d love to do more races in the United States, but I think it’s important to not do it to the detriment of other races, other regions.
“And at the moment, we are pretty much everywhere around the globe. But I’d love to race in New York City; that would be awesome. Not sure we can because last year we ran a car with Lewis Hamilton for a WhatsApp event on 5th Avenue – I don’t think the police were very impressed with us, and so I’m not sure this is gonna happen anytime soon.”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 / Getty Images
Addressing the rumours in 2024, Domenicali also confirmed that he felt three races in the United States was the optimum number.
“One more race in the United States is not true,” Domenicali told Mundo Deportivo. “That is clear, it is not true. Three races in the United States is perfect.”
The United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas is taking place this weekend. Heading into the race weekend in Austin, Mercedes sits second in the constructors’ championship with 325 points, a 27-point lead over Ferrari in third.
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