Two of the world’s most celebrated circuits will not appear on the 2019 F1 calendar unless they agree new deals with Formula One Management.
The contracts for Spa-Francorchamps in Belgian and Suzuka in Japan to hold rounds of the world championship are up for renewal at the end of this year.
The German Grand Prix could also disappear from the calendar after 2018. The race previously alternated from one year to the next between the Hockenheimring and Nurburgring, but the latter hasn’t held its round for five years after becoming bankrupt in 2012, and Hockenheim’s deal ends after this year’s race.
The current 21-race calendar is F1’s longest ever. Liberty Media, which took over the sport at the end of 2016, is yet to make its first significant move in shaping the future schedule. The most recent changes to the calendar, including the return of the French Grand Prix this year and the cancellation of the Malaysian Grand Prix, were decisions taken while Bernie Ecclestone was still in charge.
Shortly after buying the sport in 2016 Liberty CEO Greg Maffei said he wanted to expand the calendar beyond 21 races and identified the USA, Latin America and Asia as targets for expansion.
Read Dieter Rencken’s analysis of how next year’s F1 calendar is shaping up in his new columns on RaceFans later today.
Don’t miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media: