FORMULA ONE boss Stefano Domenicali is planning to cram next year’s record-breaking calendar into a shorter season.
The sport will reveal the details of a 23-race schedule later this month in a season that will run from March until November.
Over the past decade, the season has been getting longer – running into mid December, but Domenicali says that will stop.
However, that will only compress the races into a tighter schedule putting more pressure on teams and their staff.
Domenicali said: “I can anticipate that, for sure, the calendar will be done with 23 races.
“Of course we will be very respectful towards the Covid regulations issued around the world from the different governments.
“But that is our aim, that F1 can give this sign of hope and to go to normal things to enjoy.
“The idea is to make sure there is the right rhythm to the calendar. There are of course considerations related to periods to make sure logistically the flow has to be right.
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“One thing I can tell you, without discovering too many things is that next year the season will start in the middle of March and will finish in the middle of November.”
There will be a new race in Miami next year while the Qatar GP will take a year off so as not to clash with the football World Cup.
The season is expected to start in Bahrain and finish in Abu Dhabi with races in Imola and Turkey under consideration.
And in an unexpected development, the F1 sprint qualifying races will be held at seven or eight races in 2022 – despite the third trial event yet to be held in Brazil.
The sprint qualifying was trialled at both British and Italian GPs and culminated in big crashes for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Sunday’s races.
And Domenicali says from the feedback they have received on the sprint races proves they have been an ‘incredible success’.
HOW THE 2022 CALENDAR COULD LOOK
- Bahrain – 20 March
- Saudi Arabia – 27 March
- Australia – 10 April
- China – 24 April
- Miami – 8 May
- Spain – 22 May
- Monaco – 29 May
- Azerbaijan – 12 June
- Canada – 19 June
- Great Britain – 3 July
- Austria – 10 July
- France/Imola – 17 July
- Hungary – 31 July
- Belgium – 28 August
- Netherlands – 4 September
- Monza – 11 September
- Russia – 25 September
- Singapore/Turkey – 2 October
- Japan – 9 October
- Austin – 23 October
- Mexico – 30 October
- Brazil – 13 November
- Abu Dhabi – 20 November
He added: “We said at the beginning of the year there would be three tests this year to make sure we have the right plan for the future.
“The vast majority of the comments we received were super positive. Promoters are super happy because there is something new and important on Friday and Saturday and Sunday.
“We are receiving this positive feedback therefore we need to know next year we have a great plan where we will also consider the points highlighted by people who did not like this format.
“Generally speaking it has been an incredible success. I can say we will not go everywhere with the sprint qualification format.
“It is something we want to keep for one third of the races more or less and to connect with a certain different way of giving rewards and points and to connect with specific circuits that as you know would make the difference.
“So there is a lot of food for thought. We will involve all the stakeholders: broadcasters, drivers, teams, promoters and fans.
“We won’t forget our role is to take the right decision and to consider all the points and points of view of everyone.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
