Lando Norris, McLaren, Monaco, 2021

F1 eyeing opportunity to take over promotion of races at “iconic” venues

2022 F1 season

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Formula 1 could take over the promotion of races at “iconic” venues, as it will do with its new event in Las Vegas, the sport’s bosses have indicated.

Most grands prix are run by independent promoters. However next year’s race in Las Vegas, which was announced in March, will be promoted by F1 itself.

The rising number of new events on the calendar, and the limit of 24 rounds teams have agreed to, has prompted speculation races at traditional venues could lose their places. However Greg Maffei, the president and CEO of F1 owner Liberty Media, said today it could take over the promotion of existing rounds.

“We’re going to start to see how we do this [in Las Vegas], hopefully make the success we believe we can make it,” he said.

“I would only cautiously say don’t be so certain that places which are iconic are places where we will not eventually become a self-promoter. I wouldn’t cast aside that opportunity.”

Monaco, which will host a round of the world championship for the 67th time this year, is among the venues whose deal expires soon. However its promoter recently insisted it is close to agreeing a new contract.

Paul Ricard, home of the French Grand Prix, is yet to agree a deal beyond the end of this season. Spa-Francorchamps is also due to renew its contact to hold the Belgian Grand Prix.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the approach of promoters of new races behind events such as this weekend’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix has put pressure on traditional events to raise their game.

“The new promoters are really putting new energy and new vibes into the system,” he explained. “I think this is something that’s had a collateral effect on the traditional promoter that needs to keep up the pace, with respect, and we do respect a lot our promoters because they are the ones that are really working with us to make sure that we have a great show around the world.

“This effect is giving us an incredible boost to make sure that all the system is very active to maximise what we are bringing into the platform. And this is really what Greg said is ‘never say never’.

“But with this in mind, I would say we are very happy with the promoters that are working with us. They are very loyal, reliable partners on which we are going to build up even a stronger future together.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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10 comments on “F1 eyeing opportunity to take over promotion of races at “iconic” venues”

  1. Stefano taking about “vibes” isn’t something I had on my 2022 F1 Bingo board

  2. So that’s their price for keeping Monaco – they get all the money..

    1. And hopefully FOM can produce the TV at Monaco from now on!

  3. Not every race needs to be a superbowl.

    Just because some of the new venues can build a fake marina with tons of celebrity glitz and glamour doesn’t mean that traditional venues such as Spa should need to do the same.

    The glitz, glamour and hype around traditional venues such as Spa is it’s history and the circuit itself. They don’t need outside distractions to sell the event because the circuit does it by itself.

    If the new venues need all the outside stuff to hype up and sell the event then the track can’t be that good and that has been one of the biggest issues with a lot of the new venues over the past 20 years. Lots of government money to splash out on hype, fireworks and a big show off the track but a racetrack that is average at best.

    1. Well spoken Sir.

    2. I definitely agree that not all races need to be an “event”. I have always enjoyed Indycar and NASCAR, and while NASCAR has, I think a few “events” (The ‘preseason’ Clash, the Daytona 500, the July 4th Daytona race and to a lesser degree decades ago but to a higher degree these days, the Southern 500), Indycar has always had only 1. The rest of the calendar were for “fans of the sport” whereas these events were essentially for “fans of the excitement & glamor of the sport”.

      While I do think F1 needs to spread its wings a bit and get the heck out of Europe, these newer circuits in the US are a bit much. If they’d put the idea of Miami’s fake marina in the Las Vegas circuit (no need, there’s actual water already) and have a race at an iconic track such as Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen or Long Beach, it’d be perfectly fine. But we don’t need every race to function as a glory hole for the rich & rich adjacent.

  4. Please, just no. This fake glamour needs to stop.

    1. @pironitheprovocateur there should always be room for exactly one “for appearances only”, in sport.

  5. The American dream, own everything, take it all. Smile, be sincere, once you have faked that, they will just give it to you!
    Besides Elon Musk might decide to buy it tomorrow!

  6. I mean, if it keeps classic venues that are otherwise struggling financially on the calendar, then I have no real complaints.

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