Max Verstappen has given a no-holds-barred stance on the direction of Formula 1‘s scheduling, saying that calendars need to be shorter and include “separate status” circuits.
The calendar for the 2026 season was released earlier this month, with another whopping 24-race schedule that takes in all but two of the months in the year.
All of the races bar one have been included, with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola being replaced by the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix, at the as-of-yet constructed ‘Madring’ circuit.
This year’s race at Imola, which ultimately proved to be the final one, for some time at least, came with sadness conveyed by many of the drivers, including Verstappen, who said it “was one of my favourite tracks on the calendar”.
Although the number of races on the calendar has been increasing for some time, securing a spot on it has become more coveted than ever, with America taking three spots on it alone, with Asia and the Middle East occupying sizeable chunks, too.
There is also increasing speculation about the return of the South African Grand Prix, with Thailand also looking to rubberstamp itself on a future calendar.
Speaking to Formule 1 Magazine, Verstappen spoke of how he would organise the sport’s diary if he were in charge, and reserved special places for six circuits.
“Ultimately, you hope that a motorsport culture will also develop in those countries,” he told.
“But if it were up to me, the calendar would look very different and also have fewer races.
“Circuits that, in my opinion, deserve a ‘separate status’ and always belong on the calendar, purely on sporting grounds, are Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Silverstone, Imola, Suzuka and Brazil.”
Verstappen’s view a contrast to Sainz’s ‘adapt and create’ beliefs
Verstappen’s view is one that will be shared with a large number of F1 fans, who yearn for the style of circuits that were part and parcel of the calendar when they first watched the sport.
Even Spa-Francorchamps is not guaranteed a place now, having been effectively placed on a rotational basis to free up space for other suitors.
However, it is a contrast to the views of former team-mate Carlos Sainz, who believes that F1’s ever-growing business model should be reflected in the calendar.
When asked by Motorsport Week if he is sad to see many of the so-called ‘legacy’ circuits disappear, Sainz, who is an ambassador for the hotly anticipated Madring, said that newer tracks have the ability to be considered classics in the future, and it is up to established circuits to adapt to stay on.
“Obviously, I’m a big fan of having a track in Madrid, as you’ve pointed out, but as long as the tracks have character, it’s still a track in Europe,” he said.
“For me, it’s important for the tracks to have character. Austin is the best example. No one complains about going to Austin because Austin has character and it’s going to become an F1 classic in the future.
“I have nothing against having new tracks and new venues, as long as the tracks have character and have a personality to it. Regarding Europe, this is a business. You either adapt and create up to modern standards events, which I’m not saying F1 tracks in Europe cannot create, but I also understand the point of view of Stefano [Domenicali, F1’s CEO] on wanting to keep growing the business and making sure to create events that are up to modern F1 standards, like the Mexicos, the Miamis, etc.
“I think that’s where Madrid is capable of bringing that kind of vibe and event to Europe, in a city like Madrid. Hopefully, it’s one of the first European races to bring some of the states, Miami, Mexicos, to Europe.”
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