Only 10 per cent of fans back further calendar expansion

Just one in 10 Formula 1 fans surveyed believe the championship’s calendar should be expanded further in coming seasons.

Formula 1’s 2021 schedule is set to feature 23 grands prix, with the return of the Netherlands, and inclusion of Saudi Arabia.

The longest season so far has featured 21 events – as happened in 2016, 2018 and 2019 – though this year’s calendar was due to have 22 rounds prior to the Covid-19 pandemic forcing a restructure.

Outgoing CEO Chase Carey has indicated that Formula 1 officials will strive to further expand the calendar in the coming years but followers of the championship are reluctant to see more events.

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In a survey carried out on Formula 1’s Fan Voice website only 10 per cent agreed with the notion that there should be more races.

Of those surveyed 51 per cent think the current number of races is “about right” while 39 per cent feel there should be fewer grands prix in a season.

The five events fans are most looking forward to in 2021 are Belgium, the Netherlands, Britain, Italy and Monaco.

Formula 1 is targeting a return to having spectators at events in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic limited the presence of fans to just a handful of rounds, with a reduced capacity at those events that did welcome people through the gates.

Of those surveyed the main concerns over committing to attending a race are potential travel restrictions and the prospect of a race being cancelled and not getting a refund.

70 per cent of surveyed fans would want socially distanced seating while 59 per cent believe there should be reduced fan capacity.