Formula 1 is set for 24 races culminating in a doubleheader of Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi to close in 2023.
Speaking in a conference call with Liberty Media investors last week, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali offered the first details about next year’s calendar, which is set to be confirmed in October.
The first headline is a record number of races reaching the maximum allowed under the current Concorde Agreement.
“Demand is very, very high,” Domenicali said about interest in hosting a Grand Prix. “We cannot [say] anything more than what we are saying because we are of course finalising all the details.
“For sure we expect to have a couple of races more than this year, but less than 25, that’s for sure.”
Additions in Qatar and Vegas are already certain, a first South African Grand Prix since 1993 has been widely speculated while a return to China is dependent on the Covid-19 pandemic easing in the country.
The French and Belgian GP’s are expected to be dropped to accommodate them, though Spa is seen as a first reserve, particularly if the event in Shanghai can’t go ahead.
F1 is also set to overhaul the calendar in an effort to reduce travel for team members and other F1 staff with a more regional schedule expected.
“We would like to keep the right flow in terms of efficiency around the world,” the Italian former Ferrari boss said.
The revised schedule will also “consider the needs of a calendar to be spread out from March to November all around the world.”
One date that has been leaked is the inaugural Las Vegas GP to take place on a new street circuit on and around the Strip.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place between Nov 16-18 2023. Formula 1 has signed a multi year deal to race in Sin City. Check out a preview of the Track Layout below!!! #F1 #LasVegasGP #F1GridPass pic.twitter.com/wbHjwtcgal
— F1 Grid Pass (@F1GridPass) August 8, 2022
According to the Letter of Intent between Liberty Media and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, as revealed on Twitter, the Saturday night race will occur on November 18, 2023.
Given Abu Dhabi’s traditional status as the season finale, the expectation would be for F1 to then make the trip from the US to Yas Marina for the final round on November 26.
A somewhat bemusing conclusion if confirmed based on the target to reduce the sport’s carbon footprint but there you go…