Droppin Ur Favorite Tracks – the F1 2023 Calendar Edition

Ok – what in the world does next year’s F1 calendar hold for all of us fans?  It’s Brian here on the blog keys and when bloggin, I like the stream of consciousness approach.  So read it in my voice and here we go…

 

A.    How many races should we expect?  

 

With absolutely no insider info, I’d bet on 24 races.  A – #WeRaceForMoney.  B – they tried 23 this year before losing Sochi (and the race contract).  C – there are discussions underway on a new approach to scheduling.  D – see letter A again.

 

 


 

 

B.    What is the new approach to scheduling?

 

Apparently, the FIA is looking to make the schedule less globetrotting of an effort and regionalize races so to avoid extreme Europe – Middle East – Americas – Asias hops on back-to-backs…  If this works, we could easily see more “pods” of races, such as Miami + Montreal or better Middle Eastern clusters or European back-to-backs more often.  This is why I think we go from an attempted 23 to 24 for next year.  Plus, #WeRaceForMoney.

 

 

C.     So if we assume 24 races, what is in and what is out?  Let’s start with the “in” part first…

 

Acknowledging there are some things that are going into the scheduling effort (i.e. Abu Dhabi pays to be last), lets take this time to just see who is in (and then who is out).  Here are the tracks that are in and when their contracts expire, listed by expiration year (most data according to www.gpblog.com):

 

1)    2036 Bahrain

2)    2035 Australia

3)    2032 Qatar

4)    2031 USA (Miami)

5)    2030 Abu Dhabi

6)    2029 Canada

7)    2028 Singapore

8)    2027 Hungary

9)    2026 Spain

10) 2026 USA (Austin)

11) 2025 Italy (Imola)

12) 2025 Brazil

13) 2025 USA (Las Vegas)

14) 2025 Saudi Arabia

15) 2024 Great Britain

16) 2024 Italy (Monza)

17) 2024 Azerbaijan

18) 2024 Japan

19) 2023 Netherlands

20) likely South Africa

21) likely China

 

Including the recent rumors and news bit about South Africa joining the calendar, I’ve included them as the 20th race to be scheduled and considered “in” for 2023.  China also has a deal until 2025, but with Covid and the strict approach they are taking, not sure whether it happens in 2023 or not, so putting them as 21, but tentative.

 

Therefore, we have five major tracks on this year’s calendar fighting for *at best* three spots   (plus others like Sepang trying to get in the conversation). 

 

 

D.    Assuming 24 races (high end) and China is in (Covid will dictate), that leaves us three spots.  Who is in / who is out from the five on the calendar this year?  

 

First of all, as already mentioned, Covid will potentially dictate race calendar / regions that are open.  So we can’t totally forget about that yet.  And there is a very real possibility we see a rotation approach for a handful of spots each year.  If we assume 24 races, in 2024 Netherlands is off the calendar, giving us a four spot rotation for any and all tracks.  But for now, it’s between Monaco, Spa, Mexico, Austria, and France for the predicted last three spots…

 



My desired tracks to make the cut for 2023:

(1 of 3):  Monaco.  Monaco isn’t even my favorite track of the five left!  But the history, the glitz and glamour, the circus that surrounds Monaco is fun.  Plus people underrate how good Monaco qualifying can be!  So for some of the wrong reasons, we keep Monaco.  And yes, I know the financials, sponsorships, TV direction are also needing alignment, but that isn’t my problem!

 

 

Monaco - Amazing

 

(2 of 3):  Spa.  Taking Belgium off the race calendar would be catastrophic.  At least for me and my mental wellbeing.  Who doesn’t love Spa?  One bad rainy weekend and a farce of a “race” in 2021 should not dull a beautiful track in a beautiful place.  Plus, how many drivers talk about how much they love Spa?  SPA MAKES THE CUT.

 

 

Spa – Sign Me Up

 

(3 of 3):  Mexico.  I know we have 4 races already in North America, but the stadium, the fans, the racing – all fantastic.  Plus, it’s Checo’s home race and Pato O’Ward is also from Mexico, relevant should he get a call-up.  It’s at elevation.  It’s fun to watch.  Mexico makes it!

 

Mexico – The Stadium is So Cool

 

(Sorry):  Austria.  You provided a banger of an AustrianGP this year.  And it is the Red Bull Ring, so many think that alone, plus the RBR money, make it happen.  However, it isn’t usually the best race.  And while the surroundings are beautiful, the track is meh.  I feel bad, but take a year off, Austria, and join the rotation in 2024.

 

 

Red Bull Ring – Not Too Bad

 

(Not Too Sorry):  France.  It’s Paul Ricard.  Enough said.  Au Revoir.

 

Black and white footage of Paul Ricard

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