Formula 1 drivers in Australia concerned that too many new venues will push out traditional series stops.
- F1 announced last week that a three-year deal has been agreed upon to bring the action to the streets of Las Vegas.
- Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton described the development as “awesome” and “will be good for the business” of Formula 1.
- As new events are added to the schedule, some traditional race have to go to make room.
It’s still over 18 months away, but already Formula 1 drivers are already talking about the championship’s return to Las Vegas in 2023.
F1 announced last week that a multi-year deal has been agreed upon to bring the action to the streets of Las Vegas, with the circuit layout utilizing a mile-long stretch of the iconic Strip. The race is due to be held at night, next November, and take place on a Saturday.
Las Vegas is joining in addition to the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, which is contracted through 2026, and the new-for-2022 Miami Grand Prix, which starts its 10-year deal this year.
“I think it’s a cool place, and also I think the track and in general the weekend will be pretty crazy, with lots of people attending,” said world champion Max Verstappen. “Just the scenery in general, it’s going to be insane. I’m pretty sure there are going to be a lot of hydrated people in the paddock on Saturday.”
Lewis Hamilton participates in practice in Australia on Friday.
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Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton described the development as “awesome” and “will be good for the business” of Formula 1.
McLaren driver Lando Norris added that “it’s going to be crazy” and “for Formula 1 to go to a place like this, it’s good, and gets more fans around the world involved.”
Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo said that “it’s good to see three races in the U.S.” and “there’s more and more support from the U.S. fans, so I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
There were nonetheless words of caution over the length of Formula 1’s calendar. This year there are set to be 22 Grands Prix (and most likely 23 when a replacement for the canceled Russian GP is found). And, with the addition of Las Vegas and prospective return of China, there is the potential for 24 events. That would bring the series to the limit, which is set under the Concorde Agreement, which binds Formula 1 and the teams together.
“I think there needs to be a limit for the number of races we keep adding, so in the end some other races are going to pay the price of having to stay out,” said Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. “Hopefully for the future we can find a compromise where maybe races that can’t afford to be on the calendar year-in, year-out, can be on the calendar once every two years or once every three years and we can keep coming back to the places we’ve always been.
“Business is business, Liberty Media and Formula 1 will do what they have to do I guess for business, but I wouldn’t like to stop racing in Europe. I think it’s a great place to go racing, it’s where our heritage is,and I think we need to keep coming back even if it’s not every single year but at least keep it on the calendar.”
Alpine’s Fernando Alonso agreed that, while the new venues are appealing, Formula 1 “needs to be careful with the number of races.
“I think we should be on a limit, because for the teams it’s quite demanding how the schedule is now, especially as we don’t have so many races in Europe anymore.”
There is also a simple mathematical equation. Take the 22 events listed currently, add returning Qatar and China, and Las Vegas, and you reach 25—one more than the contracted limit. That means one current event, at least, has to go.
The Grand Prix thought to be most under threat for 2023 is France —a race whose contract expires after this July’s event.
Belgium’s deal at Spa-Francorchamps is also up soon, while the arrival of Miami and upcoming presence of Las Vegas is likely to place a little more pressure on Monaco’s status as an untouchable round. Nonetheless, at the moment France’s position appears the least secure.
The French Grand Prix may be on the chopping block as F1 gets near its limit of 24 Grands Prix.
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“To see the French Grand Prix at threat, definitely I will do everything I can, to be vocal on that, to try and keep it on the calendar,” said French driver Esteban Ocon. “We’ve lived so many good moments with the French fans there and yeah, it’s extremely special when we go there every year. So, I mean, I don’t know, what’s the situation exactly but I’m not happy to hear that it’s under threat at the moment and I will do everything I can to keep it on the calendar.”
On track on Friday in Australia, it was championship leader Charles Leclerc who set the pace around a revised Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia, ahead of reigning champion Verstappen.
Mercedes had another difficult showing, with George Russell 11th and Lewis Hamilton 13th, suggesting the team is in for a tough weekend around the park-based track.
Keyword: Why the Addition of F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Puts French GP in Jeopardy