F1 boss Stefano Domenicali reveals 'permanent' plan for NEW track

Stefano Domenicali, CEO Formula 1 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 boss reveals 'permanent' plan for NEW track

F1 could introduce a brand-new location to the calendar

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 9 August 2024 08:27

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Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has revealed a new grand prix may join the F1 calendar with a ‘permanent’ circuit proposed.

The rise in popularity of F1 across the world has placed increased demands on the calendar to accommodate more events.

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In the past few years, two new races in the US have been added, including Miami and Las Vegas, with reports suggesting there could be a fourth in the shape of a Chicago Grand Prix.

Furthermore, cities such as Bangkok in Thailand and Incheon in South Korea, have expressed their desire to join the F1 circus.

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However, after a record-breaking 24 races this season, F1 have stated there will be a limit to the number of races allowed in one season, placing traditional venues under threat.

Earlier this year, Domenicali revealed that both Monza and Imola were under threat, showing that heritage does not necessarily guarantee a spot on the calendar.

F1 are also determined to expand their global championship to Africa, with South Africa originally tipped to re-join the calendar.

However, according to Domenicali, F1 chiefs have scheduled talks with representatives of Rwanda, a country that has been of much political interest in recent years, to discuss the possibility of hosting a grand prix.

"They are serious," Domenicali told Autosport.

"They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.

Stefano Domenicali discusses grand prix in Rwanda

"We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment, and the right strategic plan," Domenicali continued.

"We need to have the right moment, and we need to make sure that also in that country, in that region, in that continent, there is the right welcoming, because, of course, they have other priorities. We need to be always very careful in making the right choices."

Rwanda dominated headlines during the UK General Election this year, with the former Conservative government, led by Rishi Sunak, proposing plans to send ‘illegal’ asylum seekers to the country.

The Rwanda Bill has since been scrapped by Keir Starmer’s Labour government, claiming the scheme was ‘dead’, after human rights groups protested the bill.

F1 Stefano Domenicali