25 GPs on Formula calendar, madness or feasible scenario? Mohammed Ben Sulayem's opinion

10/13/2024 11:40 AM

For a Formula 1 that is thriving in terms of viewership and becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with promoters competing to secure a calendar slot, Ben Sulayem has called for a halt to expansion into other markets, at least for now.

In recent months, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had already stated his intention to limit the number of races on the calendar to 24, even though the current Concorde Agreement allows for the number to be extended to 25 events.

According to the Emirati president, the sport has now reached a saturation point in terms of the number of Grands Prix, and adding more in the short term risks overburdening the joint effort and commitment of the FIA, teams, and drivers.

"If you go beyond a barrier where two teams are needed, we cannot have more," Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in a recent interview for motorsport.com – "From a logistical point of view, I would need two teams. Can the drivers handle it? I would like to know. Let's try to be reasonable and logical. Can the drivers cope physically and mentally? This is a question I will ask the drivers. And what about the teams? As for the FIA, we cannot do it with just one team. We would need to rotate between two teams in terms of personnel at the race events." – he pointed out.

"(The FOM) has never come back saying, 'Oh, we need more (races).' It's not possible. What they want is quality. That's why we have a good relationship with them. I mean, I won't stop them from going to 25 races, because it's their right. In the end, it's up to them. But they don't want to add more because they know it would then become a matter of fatigue. So they have their reasons (for keeping the number of races at 24)."

There has been recent talk about Argentina's potential interest in hosting a Formula 1 GP again after more than 25 years of absence, especially following the unexpected surge in popularity of Franco Colapinto after his debut with Williams at Monza.

Discussions are also ongoing about Africa's return to the calendar, with Rwanda, which will host the FIA Prize Giving 2024 event in December, currently the frontrunner for a slot in the near future.

Source: f1ingenerale

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