The long-awaited renewal of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone has been two years in the making, and it seals the place of another event on the 2020 Formula 1 calendar. But what does it mean for the schedule? Motorsport Week assesses the situation
Britain’s new deal means that 18 grands prix have contracts for 2020 and beyond.
They include 16 of the current events (Australia, Bahrain, China, Azerbaijan, Monaco, Canada, France, Austria, Britain, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Russia, Japan, USA, Brazil, Abu Dhabi), one new event (Vietnam) and one returning event (the Netherlands).
Of those events only Australia has a confirmed date (March 15), though we know Vietnam is set for April, the Netherlands will be in May (the exact date depends on factors elsewhere), Azerbaijan is poised to move back to mid-June for favourable weather and a Euro 2020 tie-in – potentially back-to-back with Canada – while France may shift into July, and wealthy Abu Dhabi is unlikely to lose its season finale spot.
For several months it has been a case of ‘five into three’, given Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey’s comments in May that the sport is set to retain 21 grands prix in 2020. “Obviously the maths means we will not be able to renew all of our current races,” he said in early May.
If we’re working along the abacus of Carey that means it is now four into two from Italy, Germany, Mexico and Spain.
Italy is in pole position even if pen has not yet been put to paper on an official contract.
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Back in April Formula 1 confirmed the Automobile Club d’Italia had reached an “agreement in principle for a new five-year deal”, with its President given the green light to finalise negotiations. There was perhaps a little bit of gun-jumping, and a desire for positive publicity on Monza’s behalf, but the deal has in effect been done.
In theory that means it’s three into one.
Hockenheim looked dead and buried in 2018 but the event was retained for 2019, its prospects hugely boosted by Mercedes, which will be the title sponsor later this month.
Mexico’s prospects have been hurt by a regime change but it is thought there are private companies willing to fill the breach, while the event’s huge popularity – particularly given Liberty Media’s desire to tap into the North American market – is another factor working in its favour, as is the presence of Sergio Perez.
Spain’s future appears bleakest. It is likely to be retained as a pre-season test venue but the grand prix has been hurt by the exit of Fernando Alonso while the government had already slashed funding. Event organisers RACC in May urged authorities to step in and help – citing the benefits Formula 1 brings to the local area – but the plea has so far fallen on deaf ears.
It is expected that from these three Mexico will retain its place on the 2020 roster though it cannot be categorically ruled out that either Spain and/or Germany will find an olive branch. Zandvoort has not been given an exact date due to Liberty waiting on Spain (though the chances of an agreement being reached are exceptionally slim) while Hockenheim was thought to be extinct after 2018 – and here it is on this year’s schedule.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that, having pitched the events against each other, Liberty Media – and therefore teams – could profit from an expanded calendar.
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A decade ago there were 17 events but that has now grown to 21, a figure seen as the limit by teams, but with Liberty eager for as many as 25 per year long-term then those involved would be hard-pressed to argue against retaining a historic event that would also bring in more revenue…
“We clearly have demand for more than 21 races in 2020, and [we] do expect that [the] number of races in a year will increase slightly after 2020,” said Carey in May.
Liberty’s post-2020 vision remains a work in progress. Of the contracted events Brazil’s future has created the most talking points; Interlagos’ deal expires next year and it is comfortably the least lucrative flyaway owing to the promoter’s close relationship with ex-supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The Rio Motorsports Park project – backed by controversial President Jair Bolsonaro – remains, at this stage, just a plan. It will not be built for 2020. It remains to be seen if 2021 – if ever – is viable, given the short time frame involved. The lack of a Brazilian driver does not help, though Brazil remains a hugely lucrative TV market for F1 (the largest market in terms of reach) even if a substantial payment from broadcast giant Globo is no longer active. Liberty Media’s desire to produce its own content is another complicating factor. Talks are ongoing. It might be Interlagos. It might be Rio. It could be neither. Formula 1 is still working on a second event in the United States to run in conjunction with, not as a replacement, for Austin, in Miami. Plans for a 2019 race around the Biscayne Bay district were delayed and ultimately shelved and instead the Hard Rock Stadium has been identified as a focal point. The Hard Rock Stadium is the home of the Miami Dolphins, the sports team majority owned by Stephen Ross, who is a key player in proposals for a Miami Grand Prix. Africa is regarded as a potential destination and while Morocco has been mooted South Africa is seen as the most likely spot according to commercial chief Sean Bratches. A second grand prix in China – a hugely expanding market – has also been talked up in recent months. And, as ever, the renewal of the British Grand Prix prompted questions about a London Grand Prix. Formula 1 has long sought a race in the capital city and discussions are still ongoing regarding the notion of bringing the sport to London.
