System 1 is actively wanting into doubling the variety of dash races from six to 12 per yr from 2027, and is investigating different format modifications to common weekends.
F1’s industrial rightsholder Liberty Media has been eager to develop the variety of dash races for some time because it has discovered they result in extra curiosity from followers, broadcasters and race promoters, even when they place an even bigger burden on the drivers and groups.
The most important driver behind FOM’s dash race push is a want to supply spectators significant on-track motion on all three days, so even on common race weekends Domenicali is eager to see how F1 can shake up the format so as to add a aggressive ingredient on Friday reasonably than the same old two free apply periods.
“The explanation why we began to debate the variety of sprints and possibly some completely different format is due to the suggestions we obtained from the followers, the promoters, that folks wish to see actual motion in the course of the three days, so already on Friday folks wish to see one thing sporting – qualifying or no matter it’s,” Domenicali mentioned at pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“Even when it isn’t a dash weekend, there’s a pattern of [wanting to have] one thing completely different. We’re considering to maintain day by day we’re on monitor related.”
FOM is conscious including aggressive components on Friday would pose an issue for inexperienced rookie drivers, so one of many concepts is to permit them extra apply time.
“I do not thoughts having longer free apply time or to have periods for them to be allowed to run, as a result of it’s clear on a dash weekend that you do not have a lot time to run in case you are a rookie,” he added. “That may be a level we’re addressing, and we are going to current shortly one thing actual on this respect.”
Watch: Autosport Explains: F1 Testing Day 6
“Keep tuned” on Turkish GP
Domenicali has additionally addressed the prospect of latest races being added to the calendar. F1 has dedicated to sticking to the present variety of 24 rounds per yr and has made room so as to add occasions in key markets like South East Asia or a long-overdue return to Africa.
However following protracted talks in Rwanda, Thailand and South Korea, it has develop into clear that any new abroad additions are unlikely to materialise earlier than 2029.
That might present a chance for European circuits to both hold their current slot or return to the calendar, with F1 asserting earlier this week that Barcelona will continue hosting a race in even years, alternating with Belgium.
When requested by Autosport if delays elsewhere meant F1 would add extra short-term races in Europe to fill the hole, such because the not too long ago introduced return of the Portuguese Grand Prix, Domenicali mentioned: “Sure, I believe so, when it comes to what you mentioned concerning the massive nations. For positive, if this would be the case it won’t be within the quick time period, as a result of the necessity of constructing one thing from zero requires the appropriate time.
“I might say this stuff can occur [from] 2029, as a result of we now have different expirations of contracts, so there may be an evolving scenario.
“It’s extremely optimistic as a result of we now have a high quality drawback the place we are able to decide on the place we wish to go. We have to discover the appropriate determination, as a result of we do not wish to develop the quantity [of races]. So we have to work on it, however I do not see this occurring earlier than 2029.”
One race that does appear on the verge of returning to the calendar is Turkey, with organisers at Istanbul Park adamant a deal is shut. Domenicali mentioned a Turkish Grand Prix deal was not completed but, however he did level out current additions to the calendar had been addressing criticism that F1 is skewing too closely in direction of road circuits.
“Turkey shouldn’t be 100% confirmed. Keep tuned on Turkey, let me put it this manner,” the Italian mentioned. “And that is additionally to reply to the people who had been saying there have been too many road races. The brand new ones which are coming are [permanent] tracks and never road races.
“As I mentioned, keep tuned on Turkey, however Portugal is unquestionably there [at Portimao], Madrid is a semi-permanent monitor that’s working to be prepared this yr. Different alternations are potential sooner or later, however we wish to stick to the quantity [of 24 races].”
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