- Domenicali says F1 “working very hard” on Africa return
- More races in East Asia and US unlikely for next “couple of years”
- London Grand Prix “would be great” but no talks held with promoters
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has revealed that races in London, South Africa and East Asia are possibilities for the global motorsport series.
There are 23 Grands Prix pencilled in for the 2023 season after the Chinese race was cancelled in December amid ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in the country. The Grand Prix schedule is capped at 25 under Formula One’s current agreement with teams and drivers.
But as the sport continues to see its global appeal increase, there has been speculation about adding more races to the calendar.
Formula One is expected to return to China’s Shanghai International Circuit next year, meaning there is potentially a spot for one more track to be added to the 2024 line up.
Domenicali has given his thoughts on possible new hosts, telling Sky Sports that Formula One was “working very hard” on a race in Africa.
“As I always said, we need to find the right partners, the right middle-term plan,” he added.
It was reported last June that talks were held over a return to South Africa, which last hosted a Grand Prix in 1993, but Domenicali stressed the need for creating a long-term event in the continent.
“What I want to avoid is that we go there one year and then forget it,” he said.
“We are working, trying to find a solution for the best of the sport, for the best of the country.”
The Italian also touched on interest from Asia and the US, though he does not anticipate more races there for the next “couple of years”.
“There is a lot of interest in far East Asia, more interest in the US,” said Domenicali.
“But in this moment, we have three which I think is the right number for the next couple of years.
“The most important thing is that every Grand Prix has to be different in terms of personality – we want to have the city living the event, that's the magic of Formula One.”
The US already has races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas inked in for 2023, while East Asia has Grands Prix in Japan and Singapore.
Plans are also being put forward for a London race, which could take place in London Docklands.
Domenicali remains open to the idea but confirmed there had been no talks “so far” with promoters in the English capital.
“Why not? It would be great,” he said.
“I think that London maybe has other priorities to tackle but, of course, that would be a great project.
“We are ready to discuss it because London is where we have the offices, so it would be not bad – easy commuting.”
More figures are also throwing their hat into the ring. In November, the mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia, Jaime Pumarejo, spoke of his wish to host a ‘Caribbean Grand Prix’ on the north coast of South America.