Drastic announcement from F1 boss – Formula 1 has its core in Europe, but the races are now spread all over the world, a trend instigated many years ago by former boss Bernie Ecclestone, but now Liberty will take this to the next level.

For fans in Europe, the statement by Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali sounds like a threat. Are historic circuits like Monaco or Monza now going to get the chop? Fans have given universal praise, on the whole, with Covid forcing F1 to return to some older European tracks.

Liberty and its F1 boss thinks this will now change, permanently:

“I can imagine fewer races in Europe, but more in the USA, more in the Middle East and more in Asia,” F1 boss Stefano Domenicali told GQ magazine. The former Ferrari boss wants to market Formula 1 better worldwide.

“This is something that is part of the development of a business, and that is entertainment,” said Domenicali, who said the move away from Europe is likely to increase.

Formula 1: The 2021 races

28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir) – Winner: Lewis Hamilton
18 April – Italy (Imola) – Winner: Max Verstappen
02 May – Portimao (Portugal) – Winner: Lewis Hamilton
09 May – Spain (Barcelona) – Winner: Lewis Hamilton
23 May – Monaco – Winner: Max Verstappen
06 June – Azerbaijan (Baku) – Winner: Sergio Perez
20 June – France (Le Castellet) – Winner: Max Verstappen
27 June – Styria (Spielberg) – Winner: Max Verstappen
04 July – Austria (Spielberg) – Winner: Max Verstappen
18 July – Great Britain (Silverstone) – Winner: Lewis Hamilton
01 August – Hungary (Budapest) – Winner: Esteban Ocon
29 August – Belgium (Spa)
05 September – Netherlands (Zandvoort)
12 September – Italy (Monza)
26 September – Russia (Sochi)
03 October – Turkey (Istanbul)
10 October – Japan (Suzuka) (cancelled, substitute pending)
24 October – USA (Austin)
31 October – Mexico (Mexico City)
07 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
21 November – Australia (Melbourne) (cancelled, successor open)
05 December – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
12 December – Abu Dhabi

The Italian obviously doesn’t think much of tradition.

“Those who live by tradition don’t live long. We have to build a foundation for the future,” Domenicali makes clear. Sounds like tracks like Monaco, Spa or Monza could soon be on their way out.

Monza, for example, is unique, “but they also have to invest in the future,” threatens the Formula 1 boss.

Stefano Domenicali does not believe that he could be cutting into the legs of European Formula 1 fans in particular, but warns F1 requires a profit to survive, and develop.

“You have to adapt. And the positive pressure that the newcomers bring to the system is great,” he thinks.