F1 lays out criteria for new race venues

Liberty Media have a new approach with respect to adding new race venues to the existing set of race circuits.

During the ‘Bernie era’, new race venues were added to the list if they were rich enough to offer more fees in order to host the race. However, that is not how Liberty are going to approach this.

Chase Carey, the Formula 1 Chairman has laid out clear rules about how new circuits will be recruited this time round.

“There are a handful of things that are important for us,” Carey said.

“First, we want to make sure that it is great for a race. While we build all the things around it, it starts with having a track that provides a great race.

“Today, realistically, there are tracks that probably we need to work on that are not conducive to providing the most exciting best racing. There are some that are fabulous. To start we want a track that will deliver a fabulous exciting race.

“I think second, we want a site that is going to capture the world’s imagination. We are in the great cities around the world.

“We use the phrase destination cities, and we are in places where you want, when they [fans] look at it on TV, are excited about it, think it looks spectacular, and really capture people’s imagination. And if they go to it it is even more special.

“We want those magical cities and magical countries that really intrigue and fascinate the world.” he added.

Overtaking issues are of paramount importance and he has ensured that the 2021 rules will bring in a significant change.

“Overtaking is clearly an issue, and I think we know the steps we are taking for 2019 with the FIA are not a cure all, they are a step,” he said.

“The changes in 2021 will be more significant.

“We are more broadly addressing the aerodynamics. We don’t want to lose the aerodynamic aspects that make F1 racing so spectacular, but we do think we need to do things that enable overtaking to be a much more significant part of the sport.

“But it is not the only one. There are a lot of things we have underway that will bring a more competitive balance, more action on track, and in many ways more unpredictability.

“Predictability is not good in sports. You want the unexpected. You want the memorable moments that you didn’t see coming. You want the underdog winning. You want those things to happen.” he concluded.