Formula 1’s meteoric rise in popularity has led to a rapidly expanding calendar. With the 2023 season featuring a record-breaking 24 races, the question of sustainability and future growth looms large.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has proposed an innovative solution to accommodate the increasing demand for F1 races while ensuring the well-being of teams and drivers. His vision involves a 28-race calendar with a 20-race core and eight rotating events.
“I think 24 is max,” Brown stated. “As I’ve said before, I think maybe having 20 fixed races and eight races that rotate every other year so we can continue to grow the sport, because there’s definitely demand.”
Balancing Growth and Sustainability
While the prospect of more races is exciting for fans, it’s essential to maintain a balance. A 28-race calendar would undoubtedly push teams and personnel to their limits. However, Brown’s proposal of rotating events could alleviate some of the strain.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has been instrumental in shaping the sport’s recent growth. His efforts in securing new venues and optimizing the calendar have been widely praised. However, as the sport continues to expand, careful planning and consideration for all stakeholders will be crucial.
As F1 navigates this exciting period of growth, finding the right balance between fan demand, team sustainability, and the overall integrity of the sport will be a key challenge.