Formula 1 is reaching a “tipping point” with the length of its calendar, according to Red Bull’s Christian Horner, reckoning compromises are needed if further events are to be added.
Formula 1’s schedule has expanded in recent years and 2019 matches the record of 2016 and 2018 in having a 21-race calendar, along with pre- and in-season tests, with the season running until December.
Next season Vietnam will join while the Netherlands is poised to return, though there remain question marks over several current grands prix, most prominently Spain, Germany and Mexico.
Formula 1 chiefs Liberty Media remain keen to take the sport to new territories but Horner is among those who have warned not to dilute the championship.
“I think what you have to appreciate is that a grand prix weekend, not for us but the people down in the garage, it’s a week-long event,” he said.
“For many other functions that are involved in going to grands prix 21 is already a big ask.
“Going beyond that is, I feel, we’re a tipping point.
“You then have to look at the construction of the grand prix weekend. Do we need to do as much testing as we do? The duration of the season. All those factors and what impact it has on cost and budget caps and so on and, is ultimately it going to make a better show?
“A book can only have so many chapters and we want to make sure as many of those chapters are as entertaining as possible and it crescendos to something.
“What you don’t want to have is saturation.
“And I think it’s finding that balance of what is the right number and what is the right construction of a race weekend.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says teams need to be conscious of the added revenue and potential brought into the sport by new events.
“The balance you need to strike is between understanding that Formula 1 is a very aspiration and glamorous sport and obviously less can be more,” he said.
“But equally, as a company, we want to grow our revenue and the obvious revenue trigger is doing more races.
“I think FOM is pretty clear that, if more races are being added to the calendar, they need to be creative and they need to make it all the way down to the bottom line or be very attractive races, tapping new markets.
“I think the mix at the moment and the discussions we are having is right.”
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