Brown lays out 28-venue plan to expand F1’s global reach

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown believes a blend of core and rotating races would allow Formula 1 to grow its venue base and expand its global reach.

As Grand Prix racing’s worldwide popularity continues to surge, an increasing number of countries are eager to host a round of the F1 World Championship, with Argentina the latest country to vie for a slot on F1’s schedule.

With the current season featuring a record-breaking 24 races, the sport is grappling with the challenge of balancing expansion with the physical and logistical limitations faced by teams and personnel.

F1’s current Concorde Agreement theoretically allows for 25 races per season. But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly stated that he would like to stick to the practical limit of 24 races for the time being.

However, expanding to new regions offers significant benefits, both for Formula 1 and for the countries eager to participate.

New venues like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Miami, and Las Vegas have brought F1 into fresh markets, introducing millions of new fans to the sport. Brown’s suggestion reflects a commitment to seizing these opportunities while keeping the core calendar manageable.

• Read also: F1 set to reveal rotational European schedule - Domenicali

Brown’s solution to expanding F1’s global reach while maintaining a manageable calendar involves a hybrid approach: a fixed calendar of 20 permanent races combined with eight rotating venues.

The McLaren chief believes such a system would allow F1 to explore new markets and maintain a global footprint without overwhelming teams and staff.

“Formula 1 and the FIA are very collaborative and consultative on everything Formula 1,” Brown told the media in Brazil recently, quoted by RacingNews365.

“I think we have very good sessions with them. As far as the calendar goes, I think 24 is max.

“As I've said before, I think maybe having 20 fixed races and eight races that rotate every other year so we can continue to grow the sport, because there's definitely demand.

“So if we can be in 28 markets, I think that would be fantastic. But I think we can only do that 24 times a year. So I think that's how you solve kind of the growing calendar.”

Brown’s approach provides a sustainable way to increase the sport’s reach without compromising the well-being of those involved, and it’s a concept that Domenicali himself recently alluded to when he disclosed that several European races are set to be rotated in the near future.

Building an effective calendar is complex, involving far more than simply selecting desirable venues. Brown praised Domenicali’s efforts to create a balanced schedule that aligns with F1’s logistical, broadcast, and commercial considerations.

“Stefano has done a very good job modifying the calendar, but it's always difficult because you're dealing with other sports, TV, holidays,” he said.

“So there's this domino effect of we could all put on a piece of paper ‘this is what the schedule should look like’.

“But then as soon as you throw a holiday in or a competitive sport or a television issue it then creates a domino effect.

“So it's not an easy job putting together what looks to be ‘why don't you just do it like this?’

“But they are very consultative and collaborative. They don't surprise us and they listen to us.”

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