MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 9: A panoramic view of the racing action coming out of hairpin turn 10 during the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec on June 9, 2024. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
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With many countries seriously considering participating, the F1 season could look very different in the near future.
The 2024 season is scheduled to feature 24 races, making it F1's longest ever, but the long-term future of some of the current teams remains uncertain.
A number of logistical and organisational issues at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve have put next year's Canadian Grand Prix's calendar spot in jeopardy.
Located on the Île Notre Dame, it is one of F1's most iconic tracks but also one of the most vulnerable to bad weather.
In June, heavy rains flooded a hospitality facility that is partly located on the rowing lake used for the 1976 Olympics, and the VIP parking lot turned into a quagmire.
Meanwhile, local police decided to close the main entrance to the circuit for several days to ease congestion, resulting in long delays for teams and spectators.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has since issued a bitter apology to the team, Autosport reports.
The sight of large numbers of fans breaking through security and entering the course after the race was over was not reassuring for the FIA, the world's governing body of motor sport.
The Canadian Grand Prix is contracted until 2031, but race promoter Octane Racing Group is under pressure to address glaring issues that have emerged.
Although not as bad as Montreal, Silverstone, which has a contract until 2034, also suffers from traffic congestion and chaos last month has annoyed F1 bosses.
Imola's future uncertain
Red Bull Racing Dutch driver Max Verstappen competes during the Emilia Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit in Imola on May 19, 2024. (Photo: Luca Bruno/Pool/AFP) (Photo: LUCA BRUNO/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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The future of Imola has also been thrown into doubt after Domenicali suggested in May that Italy was unlikely to keep the two races beyond 2025.
Imola hosted the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006, before a 14-year hiatus before returning to the circuit in 2020 as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix since 1949 (with the only exception being the 1980 season), making it the oldest purpose-built racing circuit in mainland Europe.
“We will have discussions with government authorities and the Italian Automobile Club (ACI) at the end of August in Monza,” Domenicali told Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport in May.
“There is still a possibility that two races could be held in Italy after 2026, but in reality I think this is unlikely.”
Meanwhile, Thailand, South Korea and Rwanda are calling for the event to be added to the calendar.
Thai Prime Minister Surendra Tavishin discussed the project with Domenicali while attending the race at Imola in May.
Thailand's bid is understood to be centred around a street circuit in Bangkok, with stakeholders hoping for it to make its debut on the calendar in 2027 or 2028.
Meanwhile, the South Korean city of Incheon submitted a letter of intent in April to host a race on a new street circuit as early as 2026.
The Korean Grand Prix was a fixture on the F1 calendar from 2010 to 2013, held at the existing circuit in Yeongam.
F1 aims for expansion in Africa
SHANGHAI, CHINA – APRIL 21: Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali smiles in the paddock during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China on April 21, 2024. (Photo by Kim Il-man/Getty Images)
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But the most interesting proposal comes from Rwanda.
After making its mark in the US, Africa has not hosted an F1 Grand Prix since 1993 in Kyalami, South Africa, making it the next frontier for the sport.
Domenicali and F1 chiefs are due to meet Rwandan officials next month to discuss the bid.
“We want to go to Africa but we need the right investments and the right strategic plan,” Domenicali told Motorsport magazine earlier this week.
“We have to get the timing right and we have to make sure that there is an appropriate welcome in that country, in that region, on that continent, because of course they have other priorities.”
“We must always be very careful to make the right choices.
“I don't think there will be any big changes in the short term, but in the next few months we will have to talk about what 2026, 2027, 2028 look like. There are different options, but the situation is good.”
