Le Castellet in France does not yet have a new Formula 1 contract. The place of Spa-Francorchamps in the racing calendar is also shaky (once again). This frightens the drivers of Formula 1: Above all, the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa must remain, many are demanding.
Sebastian Vettel is also one of the spa fans. He says: “Spa is a great circuit. I don’t know any driver who doesn’t like Spa.”
“On the other hand, I know drivers who don’t like the course in Russia. Not because it’s Russia, but because the tracks are all similar. I don’t have a say here, but Spa would have my vote. It would be wrong on so many levels to lose fun.”
Max Verstappen can only agree with Vettel here. For Verstappen, the Belgian Grand Prix is a second home race, especially since his mother is from Belgium. “It would be a real shame to lose Spa,” says Verstappen. “It’s my favorite circuit. It’s an incredible circuit for a Formula 1 car, with all the fast corners and the flow of the track.”
Ocon says: France must stay too
Esteban Ocon, as a Frenchman, in turn has a personal connection to Le Castellet. The fact that he was off the track was “not yet confirmed,” he emphasizes. And: “I recently had a comment from Stefano [Domenicali] overheard him basically saying France deserves a Grand Prix. I think so too. Especially since ‘Grand Prix’ is French.”
In addition, France has a “large motorsport community”. “And even if the race doesn’t work out at Le Castellet, then we could find another venue,” says Ocon.
Sainz believes in a compromise
According to Carlos Sainz, there will probably have to be a “compromise” when planning the Formula 1 calendar. “Yes, we like going to France and Spa, but on the other hand Formula 1 is growing so much,” said the Spaniard.
“I suppose there are a lot of venues that are paying a lot of money to get on the calendar. From a commercial perspective it’s difficult to turn down something like that, especially overseas: Las Vegas, South Africa, Miami. Those are interesting places that I love to travel, but we have to keep the calendar under 25 races. Otherwise it will be crazy for everyone involved. It could be too much.”
“And when new routes are added, others have to give way. The best compromise would therefore be a rotation, if [zum Beispiel] France and Spa can’t be there every year,” said Sainz. He could imagine traveling to Spa at least every two or three years. “Maybe that’s how it is [finanziell] better represented.”
Magnussen: Why not go one size smaller?
Kevin Magnussen thinks a bit outside of the Formula 1 box and into existing circuits that have not previously been on the radar of modern Formula 1. Since his time in the US IMSA sports car series, he has known that there are also many great circuits in the USA.
“Watkins Glenz, for example, is really great,” says Magnussen. “I think Formula 1 cars could go there. Maybe not in terms of safety regulations, but purely in terms of the asphalt surface. Road America is great too. Of the ones that aren’t realistic, I also really liked Mid-Ohio .”
“These are small tracks that are totally crazy when you’ve driven in Formula 1 for a few years. And it’s great when Formula 1 drives in places that are a bit extreme,” said Magnussen. The catch is that neither Watkins Glen nor Road America nor Mid-Ohio have the required FIA Grade 1 rating.
Mugello as a welcome change
But Mugello has the necessary status. “When we were there a few years ago, it felt like we were from another planet,” says Magnussen. “That was fun.”
Verstappen thinks similarly: “Mugello was crazy in Formula 1 cars. But I also like the Nürburgring. The Nordschleife might be a bit difficult with a modern Formula 1 car, so let’s leave it to the GT3 vehicles,” says Verstappen and grins.
Addendum: “It’s nice that Formula 1 only uses certain routes. You can then drive other cars on the others.”