Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has issued a warning to circuits, making it clearer that no venue is guaranteed a spot on the calendar due to their history alone.
Under Liberty Media’s ownership, F1 has seen a shift away from European-based circuits.
The sport has captured new fan bases in destinations across the Middle East and the Americas in particular.
For example, the introduction of races in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Las Vegas has come at the cost of classics such as Zandvoort and Spa-Francorchamps.
Speaking recently to the media, Domenicali emphasised that circuits must adapt to remain part of F1’s future.
He stated that some of the sport’s most iconic venues are not guaranteed a spot simply because of their legacy and must invest in their infrastructure if they want to remain.
When asked whether historical value alone is enough to keep a venue on the calendar, Domenicali told BSMT: “No, in the sense that obviously if a grand prix has this historical value, it is a plus in the table of considerations, but it is not enough.”
Domenicali’s comments made it clear that heritage alone will not protect older venues from being replaced. Instead, he argues, tradition must be matched with modernity.
“History must be supported by a structure that looks to the future,” he explained.
“That means investment in infrastructure to improve, since tickets are not exactly cheap, to provide services to fans at all levels.”
Appealing to all types of F1 fans
One of the driving factors behind this shift in F1’s venues comes as the fan base continues to grow.
Domenicalli believes the new era of fans is less concerned with the history. Rather, they are more interested in the spectacle and overall experience of the race weekend.
“But for the new fans who come to follow Formula 1 now, it will seem strange to you, but if you look, and we have this data because they are fundamental to us, the ability to turn the page and scroll through the news and to forget what he won last year is very high,” he continued.
“So for many young people who follow Formula 1 today, going to race in Monte-Carlo compared to the new Las Vegas circuit makes no difference to them.
“So this is not a fundamental element for us.”
This poses a significant challenge for the sport, as it struggles to balance the needs of its new and old fans.
Whilst new fans may not be concerned with the history behind the sport, older fans feel a sense of nostalgia for these iconic tracks, something that Domenicalli himself relates to.
“It (historic tracks) is an element that gives history and is important for those, like me, who have been following Formula 1 since they were a child,” he addressed
The 2026 calendar will once again feature 24 races, but Domenicali insists the series won’t expand beyond that number. Instead, new venues will replace old ones.
That means circuits like Spa, Monza, and even Monaco must continuously prove their worth on the schedule, not solely rely on the prestige their events possess.
“Countries must be financially present in a calendar that I think won’t grow beyond the number we have today,” he concluded.
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