With all the talk about Vietnam and Zandvoort joining the calendar, realistically speaking, the F1 calendar will be majorly cramped. However, F1 CEO Chase Carey has a solution for that conundrum. He admitted that there is a huge likelihood that the competition could sacrifice two of its current races by 2020.
While Vietnam is already confirmed to join the F1 calendar in 2020, while Zandvoort are close to a deal. While Carey remained mum on the specific venues, he mentioned that two deals have been struck with circuits who’s contracts expire this year.
So far, Monza is on the verge of extending its own F1 contract, with Silverstone, Hockenheim, Mexico and Barcelona still left. According to speculations, Barcelona looks like the most likely candidate to be dropped from the F1 calendar.
“We’re in the process of finalising our 2020 race calendar,” Carey revealed to Motorsport.com. “We have agreements in principle on two renewals, and are actively engaged on three other renewals.”
“In addition we have already announced our race in Hanoi, and construction has begun on the track and facilities.”
“It will be a street course that is one of the most unique and challenging race tracks in the world, with 22 corners and a couple of long straightaways, the design of which we have been intimately involved with. I was in Hanoi a few weeks ago, and the excitement was palpable.”
He continued, “In addition to Hanoi, we also have an agreement in principle to add another new circuit to our calendar in 2020. We’ve not finalised the number of races in 2020, but we currently expect it to be 21, the same as 2019.”
“Obviously the math means that we will not be able to renew all our current races.”
it has long been suggested that Liberty Media are targeting a 25-race season, but it looks quite farfetched.
