Thanks to the introduction of Netflix's Drive to Survive series, Formula 1 is soaring in popularity all over the world, and everybody is looking to capitalize, including some of the teams. Alfa Romeo recently began giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at F1 life in a documentary series hosted on YouTube, giving motorsport enthusiasts something else to watch in the gaps between races.
But there won't be as many gaps between races next year, as the FIA, Formula 1's governing body, is also looking to capitalize further. It seemingly feels that record-breaking seasons in 2021 and 2022, where teams had to compete in 21-race seasons, still weren't enough to fulfill the appetite of F1 fans, so in 2023, an additional three races will be held for a record total of 24.
Unfortunately, as we reported last month, Kyalami will not be making a return to the calendar, with the bid for a South African Grand Prix falling apart just when it seemed most likely to be successful.
While this was disappointing, the confirmation of a Las Vegas race for 2023 has put a smile on F1 fans' faces. We haven't had a race there since the shoddy 1984 Caesar's Palace Grand Prix, and expectations are high. Hopefully, fake scenery won't be a part of the spectacle (ahem, Miami GP).
We'll also see the return of the Qatar Grand Prix after a one-year hiatus. This year's race was scrapped due to the nation's hosting of the FIFA World Cup later this year that kicks off on November 20.
The other returning race is the Chinese Grand Prix, which was dropped over the last three seasons due to the dreadful coronavirus pandemic.
With 24 races on the calendar for 2023, America is by far the biggest winner with three races, matching the record for the most races in a single season set by the US in 1983 and matched by Italy in 2020, when the pandemic forced some changes to the calendar.
Speaking on the number of races, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem noted that the record number of races "is further evidence of the growth and appeal of the sport on a global scale." He also noted that the World Motorsport Council's members in charge of framing the 2023 F1 calendar have "been mindful of the timing of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans."
This all looks great, but we have our doubts.
For a start, 24 races in nine months will mean a lot of traveling, testing, practicing, qualifying, and racing, and one can't help but wonder what effect this will have on the teams and their staff. The living conditions of F1 team members have been highlighted ad nauseam by insiders who reveal that the schedule is intense, the sleeping areas are often cramped and overshared, and wages are not up to scratch. While drivers and senior team members fly around the world on private jets and get given sponsored cars like the Civic Type R or McLaren GT to drive around in, most of the people who keep these F1 machines running are overstressed and underpaid. We sincerely hope that improves, but with more races comes more pressure.
2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar:
- 5 Mar - Bahrain GP, Sakhir
- 19 Mar - Saudi Arabian GP, Jeddah
- 2 Apr - Australian GP, Melbourne
- 16 Apr - Chinese GP, Shanghai
- 30 Apr - Azerbaijan GP, Baku
- 7 May - Miami GP, Miami (Florida, USA)
- 21 May - Emilia Romagna GP, Imola (Italy)
- 28 May - Monaco GP, Monte Carlo
- 4 Jun - Spanish GP, Barcelona
- 18 Jun - Canadian GP, Montreal
- 2 Jul - Austrian GP, Spielberg
- 9 Jul - British GP, Silverstone
- 23 Jul - Hungarian GP, Mogyorod
- 30 Jul - Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps
- 27 Aug - Dutch GP, Zandvoort
- 3 Sep - Italian GP, Monza
- 17 Sep - Singapore GP, Marina Bay
- 24 Sep - Japanese GP, Suzuka
- 8 Oct - Qatar GP, Losail
- 22 Oct - US GP, Austin (Texas)
- 29 Oct - Mexico City GP, Mexico City (Mexico)
- 5 Nov - Sao Paulo GP, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
- 18 Nov - Las Vegas GP, Las Vegas (Nevada, USA)
- 24 Nov - Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina (United Arab Emirates)
