Hembery wants F1 to regionalise its calendar

Pirelli's motorsport coordinator Paul Hembery believes that Formula 1 should have a regionalised calendar if it is to expand the number of races. Since Liberty Media took over the sport at the start of the year, it has spoken about its intent to add more races to the calendar.

Liberty has also claimed that a number of venues have got in contact over a future entry, with the French Grand Prix returning next year. There has been much talk over adding a second race to the US and also a revival of the Argentine Grand Prix more recently.

"If we increase the number of races, we should regionalise them," Hembery told Auto Motor und Sport. "So one block in Europe, one in America, another in Asia. It would reduce the travel stress, and bring formula one closer to the region because they will have a 'season within the season' for a few months in their region.

"Our research has shown that many people struggle to follow F1 throughout the year when one start is in the afternoon and the next is at midnight. A question I often hear from fans is 'Is there a race on this weekend?' For instance, we could have eight races on consecutive weekends, and then another month's break to breathe."

 

Fergal Walsh

Dont like this idea. F1 doesn't need more races. 16-20 is fine IMO

  • 1
  • Aug 22 2017 - 16:02

Replies (6)

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  • Dont like this idea. F1 doesn't need more races. 16-20 is fine IMO

    • + 1
    • Aug 22 2017 - 16:02
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Anyone who can't find the schedule and start times probably isn't a fan.

    • + 0
    • Aug 22 2017 - 19:42
  • I like the idea of regionalizing the events. It makes sense in so many ways. However I'd say no more than 23-25 races.

    @f1dave thats sort of the poin
    t. It shouldnt be hard for the filthy casuals to find the times and get interested. Want more viewers? Make it accessible. It makes sense. Though they could start by moving from pay-channels..

    • + 0
    • Aug 22 2017 - 21:39
  • Freguz

    Posts: 160

    Well I think they could change the weekend config, skip friday totally, and just have fp1 and fp2 and quali on saturday, no fp3... that would save money and make the travelling easier, and therefore make room for a couple of more races. Or change a few into better ones (Baku -> Hockenheim, etc)

    • + 0
    • Aug 22 2017 - 22:42
    • kngrthr

      Posts: 203

      the reason for friday practice was to partially replace in season testing and do it in front of the fans.
      i think its very useful for the teams and the odd young driver to experience a G.P. weekend

      • + 0
      • Aug 23 2017 - 01:06
  • He makes some good points. European fans are spoiled because all the race start times are tilted in their favor. There would probably be a lot more bitching and less watching if fans in Europe had to watch all the races at 6am like we have to every race weekend in the US and Canada.

    • + 0
    • Aug 23 2017 - 22:03

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Bahrain
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Australia
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China
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Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
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Saudi Arabia
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United States of America
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Austria
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United Kingdom
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Hungary
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Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
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United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
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Brazil
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United States of America
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Qatar
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United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
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14 - Mar 16
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21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
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Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
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23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom Silverstone
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Hungary Hungaroring
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Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
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Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
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United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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