Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has supplied an replace on the way forward for the Method 1 calendar, masking new races and a rise within the variety of Dash occasions on the schedule.
Regardless of the 2026 Method 1 season being simply across the nook, focus for some is already starting to shift to 2027. Talking to media at pre-season testing in Bahrain, the game’s CEO Stefano Domenicali supplied an replace on future calendar plans.
Domenicali mentioned a possible doubling within the variety of Dash occasions on the calendar, the introduction of a brand new aggressive component on Fridays at conventional race weekends and rookie-only observe periods. He additionally commented on delays to the addition of name new occasions to the calendar, whereas hinting {that a} fan-favourite circuit could possibly be set to make an imminent return.
Variety of Dash Races to Improve?
There could possibly be main modifications to the Method 1 weekend schedule in 2027, with the game reportedly taking a look at doubling the variety of Dash occasions from six to 12. It might imply that half of the occasions on the schedule would run the Dash format, which sees an extra 100km race happen on Saturday.
The transfer makes enterprise sense for Method 1. Race promoters pay the game extra money with a view to host Dash occasions, and followers – each at residence and trackside – get higher worth for cash with extra significant on-track motion on all three days of the race weekend.
The draw back is the elevated strain on workforce members, who face a bigger workload on Dash weekends, the place automobiles should be ready for 2 qualifying periods and two races. The transfer is unlikely to be met with a heat reception from these working inside the sport, a lot of whom really feel they’re already working at their most capability over the course of a season.
This was a serious sticking level when Method 1 final tried to extend the variety of Sprints from three to 6, forward of the 2022 season. Groups pushed again on the plans and delayed the rise within the variety of Sprints by a yr.
Different F1 Weekend Format Tweaks on the Horizon
Apart from growing the variety of Dash races, Domenicali additionally hinted that the weekend format could also be modified at non-Dash weekends to introduce a aggressive component to the on-track motion on Friday.
Beneath the present laws, two hour-long Free Follow periods happen on Friday on conventional race weekends. Though these periods symbolize vital on-track studying time for the groups, the Dash format – the place there may be solely a single hour of observe earlier than qualifying for the Dash race – means that the second hour of on-track working is just not crucial.
Though Domenicali was not forthcoming with what aggressive component could possibly be added to the Friday timetable at conventional race weekends, he stated that “a package deal of concepts” will likely be introduced by the summer time. He was additionally aware that modifications to the weekend format might lead to a scarcity of observe time which can hinder the extra inexperienced drivers within the area. On plans to handle this situation, he stated that “we are going to current shortly one thing actual on this respect”, suggesting rookie-only observe periods throughout race weekends could quickly turn into a actuality.
No New Races Earlier than 2029 – however a Basic Might Return
Regardless of Thailand and a race on the African continent beforehand being earmarked to affix the calendar in 2028, Domenicali now says that he can’t see any model new races becoming a member of the schedule earlier than 2029, owing to the variety of occasions already with contracts in place.
Beneath the current settlement, F1 is unable to stage greater than 24 Grand Prix weekends per season. Though there have been reviews that the calendar might develop additional sooner or later to 25 rounds, Domenicali now says that “we don’t need to develop the quantity”. Occasions which have contracts which might be up for renewal in or earlier than 2029 embrace Las Vegas, Singapore, Mexico, Portugal and Japan.
Extra instantly, there may be one slot nonetheless obtainable on the 2027 Method 1 calendar. Dutch Grand Prix host Zandvoort will depart the calendar after 2026 – however its place has already been stuffed by the returning Portuguese Grand Prix. The newly obtainable free 2027 slot is due to the information that Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – former host of the Spanish Grand Prix, now host of the Barcelona Grand Prix – will seem on the calendar in alternate seasons, rotating with the Belgian Grand Prix.
The frontrunner to fill the void is fan-favourite Istanbul Park, host of the Turkish Grand Prix. Rumours of the occasion’s return have been just about persistent because it final hosted an occasion again in 2021. We famous again in January that circuit bosses have talked up their probabilities of a everlasting return to the schedule, if monetary enter from the federal government could be discovered. A five-year deal is believed to be inside attain.
On its potential return, Domenicali stated: “Keep tuned on Turkey, let me put it this manner”, noting “the brand new ones which might be coming are everlasting tracks and never avenue races.”
Amongst different factors in Domenicali’s press briefing, he confirmed that F1 would return to a single pre-season check forward of the 2027 season, and stated “work is underway” on a possible return of a season launch occasion, just like the F1 75 present which happened at London’s O2 final February.
