Stefano Domenicali is a man in demand in the Formula 1 paddock.
At almost every Formula 1 race weekend, there’s a different delegation from a new circuit hoping to grab Stefano Domenicali’s attention.
There are currently 24 races on the Formula 1 calendar, and while the Concorde Agreement does allow for a maximum of 25 Grand Prix weekends, Domenicali has previously ruled this out as an option.
There are going to be changes to the schedule next season, with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being dropped to make room for the Madrid Grand Prix.
F1’s most iconic race in Monaco is switching places with the Canadian Grand Prix to group together two North American tracks, while Zandvoort and Spa are preparing to become rotational options on the calendar.
A Grand Prix in Thailand looks like the next addition to F1’s eclectic mix of circuits, with officials in Turkey also pushing for a return.
Fans have admitted they could live without Monaco, although there have previously been concerns about the shift in the make-up of the schedule.
Domenicali has now eased one fear supporters have that the calendar will be dominated by street circuits.
Max Verstappen will be particularly delighted with his decision based on his previous comments on his favourite circuits.
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Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty ImagesFormula 1 ‘definitely’ never going to switch to an all-street circuit calendar
Domenicali was asked on The Race F1 Podcast about concerns that Formula 1 was becoming a predominantly street racing championship, and responded: “I think that what has always been our objective is to keep a good balance between the different solutions.
“Street races have some fascinating moments, and races like this one [the Hungarian Grand Prix], have an incredible opportunity to show that the right answer is to try to be balanced.
“We definitely would never go to one solution, but we try to maximise the experience that we can offer.
“Baku and Singapore, there’s great racing, but it’s also a great event that’s more than what’s happening on the track.
“But, the traditional track will never lose a place in the calendar, that’s for sure.
“Historical [races] don’t mean anything, with respect, if there is not the right approach for investing in the future.”
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Max Verstappen says some Formula 1 circuits deserve ‘separate status’
Verstappen, like every driver on the grid, has his favourite Formula 1, although two are losing their status on the calendar soon.
In an interview with Formule 1 Magazine, Verstappen said: “Ultimately, you hope that a motorsport culture will also develop in those countries.
“But if it were up to me, the calendar would look very different and also have fewer races.
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“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.”
There will always be a place on the calendar for circuits like Spa and Silverstone, but Domenicali has a difficult balancing act trying to grow the sport and keep fans of the traditional circuits happy.
Some street circuits, such as Singapore and Las Vegas have produced brilliant races in recent years, proving that the right track layout can be entertaining, even if overtaking isn’t always easy.
However, the lack of overtaking opportunities in Monte Carlo will concern F1, especially as their mandatory two-stop rule change created some intriguing tactics.