SPA GETS PUT ON 'ROTATION'! Opinions on the Belgian Grand Prix Contract Extension

[@AidanMillward]

Top tip: if you’re going to tell people on Twitter the video is up, make sure it’s set to public. 🤣

[@grrfy]

😁

[@yodaslovetoy]

That might help....

[@nowind37]

well f1 can race at zolder its also in belgium

[@nitelast]

​@@nowind37 Zolder is FIA Grade 2 so they cant without upgrades

[@LoganHunter82]

Pfffth. Amateur. Pros say it's up but they never uploaded

[@mplsmike4023]

Saudi Arabia: “we’re worth it.” World: “no, you’re not.”

[@PrivateBAustin]

As much as I hate that Saudi Arabia is allowed to host a race I really like that track. Sector 2 feels like an F1 race on a country road really nothing like it.

[@AidanMillward]

@@mplsmike4023 maybe a street circuit in Paris is needed. Sponsored by L’Oréal. That would be worth it.

[@MotorsportManager-xd2vr]

3 circuits in the USA alone, 4 circuits on the Arabian Peninsula in nations that have no motorsport history whatsoever, a large number of circuits in dictatorships that polish up their image with Formula 1 just as they do with other mass sporting events such as the Olympic Games and so on. I think the problem goes far beyond Spa.

[@ArtyI]

FOM is a publicly owned company. Anything publicly owned has to choose profits over sense. It's a fucking joke, we should really abolish public ownership of companies

[@MrSaywutnow]

Yep. Sometimes I can't shake the impression that the FIA is almost as crooked as FIFA.

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

@@MrSaywutnow If you knew what the FIA ​​did in 2020 and 2021. They are of course just as corrupt as FIFA and worse.

[@sandordomonkos8351]

Money talks

[@sandordomonkos8351]

​@@MrSaywutnowFOM taking out Spa, not FIA

[@AmsterdamHeavy]

Spa belongs on the calendar. It certainly belongs on the calendar instead of say, Miami or Vegas.

[@SirPiggels]

As an American, I am embarrassed by the existence of the Miami and Las Vegas Grand Prix

[@AmsterdamHeavy]

@@SirPiggels you and me both, brother

[@Scorpio19110]

F1 has the wrong history in mind. They keep Imola even though it isn’t suitable to current F1 cars, just because of Senna/Ratzenberger and the 2005 GP. There were some decent races ever since its return, but just like with Baku, it’s an exception and not the norm. Imola should be a rotational event. Races which are hosted in a current driver’s fatherland should be prioritised, it can’t be we have German drivers, yet no race there, they should be a bit more lenient with the fees

[@Real28]

Hold up. Vegas has been bangers. Miami tho...it's a billion dollar autocross race

[@SirPiggels]

@Real28 The racing at Vegas has been fine, it's everything else about it that makes me cringe

[@terminateshere]

Spa is the last remaining track in F1 that has the 'drive out to the country and back to town' feeling. Hockenheim had it up to 2001, but otherwise that old-school European type circuit is gone from the top tier - Brands Hatch has that aesthetic but as you say, not up for F1 and won't be.

[@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1]

I get what you mean something like the Old Hockenheim or old A1-ring had a very similar feeling to that Spa is a unique and wonderful circuit honestly

[@gerarduspoppel2831]

I think Nürburgring had that feeling too

[@gerarduspoppel2831]

I think Nürburgring had that feeling too

[@terminateshere]

@@gerarduspoppel2831 The old one, definitely. One that's under-celebrated in this vein is Charade in Clemont-Ferrand. Like Nürburgring round an extinct volcano. Notorious for claiming Helmut Marko's eye and consigning him to a career as a driver manager rather than driver.

[@gerarduspoppel2831]

@terminateshere i have been to Clermont too. I liked it m Yes it is no spa or Monza. But cheap nice vibe and easy excess.

[@r0b3rt_959]

Penske could do the funniest thing ever and have an IndyCar race in Spa when F1 isn't around.

[@simoneburini4036]

God I hope they do. But they won't.

[@Peteman81]

That would actually be really good - I might get to actually see an IndyCar race and not just watch on the TV!

[@ronbelanger4113]

Be about 25 seconds off the pace.

[@matthewlawrenson3628]

We're discussing 2036, now? Back when I started watching F1 in 1992, had you asked me what would be going on 44 years later, I'd've told you "anti-gravity cars lapping the moon's orbit". The future has failed me yet again.

[@robotnikkkk001]

...WELL.....WHEN LIBERTY MEDIA HAS BOUGHT F1,I MADE A PREDICTION THAT... *_F1 WILL MERGE WITH INDYCAR IN A MID TERM FUTURE_* ......AND SO,THE PROCESS maybe WILL BE OVER AT 2030'S .......WHY AM I ALWAYS MAKING THE CORRECT PREDICTIONS.....

[@MrSaywutnow]

We still have 500 years or so to get F-zero up and running, so not all hope is lost.

[@Enevan1968]

We were promised jetpacks, dammit!

[@pommunist]

It's a decade past the events of Back to the Future 3. No hover boards, no flying cars, no Mr Fusion Home Energy Reactors. I'm starting to think they are not really going to happen.

[@chlcrk]

We're a lot lazier as a species than we imagined ourselves being

[@whoasked9500]

As much as I hate this, I'm just happy it's even on the calendar still. I'm still salty about Malaysia and Hockenheim not being on the schedule man.

[@lordracer7743]

the germans have no money for a grand prix, sadly.

[@cerdic9]

Yeah, if Spa has to be on rotation, I would love to have Hockenheim and Spa rotate each year. I just really hope it doesn't get replaced with another street circuit.

[@hecksters423]

​@@lordracer7743Meanwhile, the Malaysians DO have money. It just goes to the government... 😂

[@whoasked9500]

@@cerdic9 I thought it was getting rotated with Zandvoort

[@markc8956]

They cited the arrival of Singapore in 2008 as a reason why the race was no longer viable for them. Gutting. As for Germany, what everyone else says re viability for them.

[@anthonycutt8854]

'Welcome to the 2038 F1 calendar, sponsored by Dazone. Saudi, Saudi, Saudi... (20 races later) and Abu Dhabi'

[@8802gator]

Spa getting rotated off the calendar is a major problem. The identity of Formula 1 is tied to Spa, Silverstone, Monza, and love it or hate it Monaco. But let's pretend that's not a problem and set that aside. The main problem, and circuits like Spa are gonna be dropped eventually because of this, is that the soul of Formula is for sale to the highest bidder. And the highest bidder is always gonna be oil money countries and poorly designed race tracks no one likes. Spa isnt gonna be replaced in the Calendar by Imola. It's gonna be replaced by some place with 0 F1 history on a copy and paste race track placed in some city where you can attend a public stoning pre race if you so choose.

[@CyanRooper]

In a way, it's starting to feel more like Formula E than Formula 1 in that, we're getting more races on street circuits than actual racetracks.

[@8802gator]

@CyanRooper yeah. It's been my belief for a while now that Fe is a market test for the future of F1. And there hasn't been a decision the FIA have made in a while that's proven that wrong. Everything keeps moving that direction.

[@simonkevnorris]

The soul of F1 has been up for sale for a while. I'm not sure why they go to Saudi Arabia - apart from the petro dollars of course!

[@ecchioni]

@@simonkevnorris F1's soul was sold wholesale when Chapman put ads on the Lotus.

[@tomnewham1269]

@@8802gator FIA doesn't determine the F1 calendar, Liberty Media determine that as they are the owners of F1 now. The only part the FIA have in regards to which circuits F1 race at is if the circuits meet certain safety requirements. F1 can only race on Grade 1 circuits and the FIA are the organisation that makes the ruling on grades.

[@RageousMode]

14:12 14:27 I'm Canadian and go to both Austin and Montreal annually. Would be a shame to lose either of these as they're both purpose-built permanent circuits with unique characteristics. As opposed to temporary street circuits like Miami or Vegas, circuits like Austin/Montreal don't get the spotlight as they don't have the glam, despite resulting in very good racing.

[@jarigustafsson7620]

Love the Villeneuve track 🤘😎

[@chrisguardiano6143]

Agreed. As a NASCAR fan in addition to F1, I really hope that the NASCAR Cup Series puts Montreal on the 2026 schedule or at the very least the two other NASCAR series (the Xfinity Series & the Trucks) have races there.

[@tomnewham1269]

As an Australian, Montreal should be a permanent fixture on the calendar. How can a circuit that has the Wall of Champions be left off the calendar.

[@arthurguitar]

Don’t care what anybody says, F1 without Spa isn’t F1. It’s like no Monza, no Silverstone, no Monaco, the heritage tracks need to stay.

[@chris9650]

To a degree I agree.omaxo.czn go it's nothing more than a procession

[@MimonJesus67]

Monaco is trash.

[@azapro911]

Formula 1 Hell defined: Spa becomes rotational while Monaco remains permanent.

[@ArtyI]

Even worse: Spa becomes rotational while the death trap in Jeddah remains permanent

[@HammerHeart3229]

I know I'm in the minority but I like Monaco. Yes the races are mostly boring (Especially these days because the cars are too big for the place) but I like it for the history of the place and also because no matter what watching F1 cars attack that track where there is little margin for error is always a joy for me to watch.

[@PrivateBAustin]

​@@HammerHeart3229I'm the opposite, I think they've either got to upgrade the track (if even possible ?) or lose F1 like everyone else.

[@illdeletethismusic]

@@PrivateBAustin only way to fix the Monaco track would be giving a nearby part of the Italian or French coastline independence, along with the same tax and legal situation of Monaco, and rebuild the track there, wide enough for actual racing and with proper runoff

[@rexthewolf3149]

@@ArtyII don’t see the problem because spa is just as much as a death trap.

[@theF1oracle]

Love him or hate him, bernie knew what the fans wanted when he was running the show.

[@heliumtrophy]

Yeah to a point. But we're not the target audience these days. Screw the old fogies, we want the *YOUTH* interested in our product.

[@Jamesclassic1919]

​​​@@heliumtrophy Agreed. That's why I stopped watching F1 . I realized F1 went from men racing each other to see who is better to Lando Norris playing Roblox for promotion. Imagine Fangio doing tik toks for Mercedes. F1 lost its soul. It's not a sport it's an entertainment like Superbowl. Not many care about the match but about who plays during the break

[@halofreak1990]

@@heliumtrophy the problem is, many aren't. They start viewing F1, having been fooled by Drive to Survive, and then turn off after a few races when they discover actual F1 is a lot less dramatic than what is shown on there.

[@neo1711]

I'm sure all the fans wanted V6 turbo hybrids. Right?

[@heliumtrophy]

@@halofreak1990 They have some sense when they see Netflix and Liberty have sold them dummies.

[@creativeframework2068]

Got to say, an Antarctic race would be awesome 🤣 No need to worry about cooling, the ability to carve out any shape of track you like and, if you time it right, no need for lighting at the night race!

[@jack303030]

F1 on ice with spiked tyres, that would be a challenge for pirelli

[@noelburland7169]

Spa Francorchamps, Silverstone, Monza, Interlagos and Suzuka are the five circuits that I think should be protected and kept on the calendar permanently.

[@SquidgyPixel]

Worth adding COTA, Marina Bay and the Red Bull Ring too?

[@FallingPicturesProductions]

@@SquidgyPixel COTA isn't even 20 years old yet, why would you suggest that?

[@SquidgyPixel]

@@FallingPicturesProductions I know, it's only been around since 2012. I suggest it because, as Liberty Media keep insisting they want more and more street tracks, it puts actual race tracks at risk. COTA was where the resurgence in US fandom came back in 2012, it's a mashup of European Tracks put together (Bit of Silverstone, Bit of Hockenheim, Bit of Istanbul Park), the drivers enjoy it and it's often been said it's a great race weekend to go to because of events within Austin as well. And with the rise of Miami and Vegas, would you not rather COTA be THE US Grand Prix? Not the Fake Marina GP in Miami? :/ EDIT: To add, how many times have we heard of Liberty/FOM leaning on the owners of COTA to squeeze them more and more, blackmailing them by mentioning Miami and Vegas? Would you rather we go racing around an American Football Stadium, or an actual Purpose-Built Race Track?

[@andre_star7776]

Peter Brook suggests Silverstone, Spa, Monza and Monaco receiving Heritage Status (permanent spots on the calendar) on his video on fixing F1. Chain Bear suggested a rotation agreement where, for example, 25 tracks alternate 20 spots on the calendar, hosting 4 races in 5 years. Maybe both of those ideas could work if done right

[@JohnSmithShields]

I miss Chainbear.

[@cosmostrek2001]

will not happen the race fees go up every year by 10 percent. When the government realizes the corporate welfare for these races is a waste of money. these races will be gone. because the tracks cannot make money with the high races fee without corporate welfare paid by the governments.

[@MIGBMWLOVER]

What happened to him?​@@JohnSmithShields

[@markc8956]

Silverstone cannot be lost . Bad enough that the FIA won't come back to us in the UK for the WRC. Rally GB worked well.

[@JohnSmithShields]

@@MIGBMWLOVER I don't know. His videos are still active, but nothing new for ages.

[@camrsr5463]

having some rotation is nice. the series gets a chance to see what tracks are making changes and trying new things. Its a bit tougher and inconsistent for fans not being able to dig in and get behind a certain race. so 6 or half dozen.

[@tomsmith889]

Sadly F1 is no longer a sport but sports entertainment. A antisocial media paradise for fair weather fanboys who follow for the click bait and not the sport which is a great shame. I’ve watched F1 for over 40years now and yes I’ve followed particular drivers throughout that time but it’s always been the sport itself that’s kept me and not all Bollucks that’s sadly surrounds F1 these days.

[@clansome]

Ditto except I can add nearly another decade on that. 1976 was a good year !!! Even managed to (just) snag us an F1 WDC who later in life, even when he was two rather than three sheets to the wind, was an excellent and intelligent commentator on F1. Yes those WERE the days.

[@robotnikkkk001]

.....SO.... *_READY FOR 3 WEEKENDS STREAK AT INDY,DAYTONA AND TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAYS??_* ....

[@theF1oracle]

100% agree. It's all about 'the show' now, it's rather pathetic

[@S-Ltd1000]

​@@clansomeanother 70s relic here. I even went to Brand's Hatch in 76.

[@tomnewham1269]

you are spot on with your comment.

[@marcello6810]

i see spa rotating with zandvoort, imola rotating with catalunya or a race in germany. That opens up 2 spots so we can go racing in Qiddya and somewhere else in the US i bet, or rwanda somehow. lovely (with a sarcastic accent).

[@chriscauwelier]

Belgian fan here. I'd be happy with 5 in 7 seasons. But Zandvoort is also more or less an iconic track, so how devide? We love our Northern neighbours. We don't have the money, we will fade away in the future.

[@NielsHeldens]

Zandvoort already announced that they will not host a race beyond 2026. Organiser's own decision due to an uncertain future, partially surrounding overall interest in the Netherlands (essentially: when is Max going to retire from F1) and profitability.

[@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1]

I don’t mind a race in Rwanda in order for the series to go to an African country tbh Another race in Saudi and the USA (especially if it’s another street track) is a firm no from me I actually don’t mind 3 races in the USA I think it should be 2 but the USA is a massive country but I wished we used the great tracks the USA has to offer (if they can get up to grade one standard without running the track)

[@clansome]

@@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1 CotA and Las Vegas are all we need really as we have Canada and Brazil too. (Possibility of Argentine GP has been mooted as well.) Return to Kyalami must be higher up the list. Tbh do we need 2 in Italy ? Do you think the return of a European GP on a rota of, say, a trio of circuits being a posibility ??

[@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1]

@ Honestly I’m okay with that Miami can go I will personally escort it out of the building myself lol we do not need to be racing in a NFL stadium car park. In my dream world if we really are gonna have 3 races in the USA Road America/Road Atlanta should be one of those 3 but I know that will never happen. Kyalami or Rwanda whoever has the better proposal should be given serious thought Imola as much as I like the circuit should go I don’t think there’s a need for that GP or like your idea said replace Imola with an European GP consisting of it/Mugello, Portimao, Nurburgring, Hockenheim and Magny-Cours/Paul Richard (other circuits can be added) And the Mexico City GP can go imo (I simply don’t like that track lol)

[@theunknownstuntman4010]

Love this channel, Sarcastic Racing content sprinkled with Star Trek and Simpson references, everything i could ever want

[@johnlladron735]

Thanks for another great video. I really enjoy your informed commentary. More importantly, you referenced Monza as the 'cathedral of speed' which is bang on. Why commentators call it the 'temple of speed' is odd given where it is. Also, Murray Waker called it a cathedral, and he can't be argued with.

[@ReclusiveDuck]

Heritage may not pay the bills but it's very important to F1. I think here's a very strong case to be made for certain circuits to be ring-fence that preserve that heritage. Monza & Silverstone are obvious, as is Monaco (annoyingly). Does Spa fall in that category? I'm not sure. What I am sure of is, that any season without a race at Spa is a little bit depressing.

[@DragonSoaring00]

Spa is a unique test of engineer, driver and weather prediction equally

[@marcusmeurich494]

That Simpsons gag right at the beginning nearly killed me. Wasn't expecting that 😂

[@randomrexy2135]

About the max at zandvoort I'm dutch but formula 1 and motorsport was really really niche it did exist but zandvoort was more populair for the historic grandprix before the zandvoort make over assen had to an extent more of an influence since motogp and some public commercials for certain event days at assen where more commercial successes (as far as public outreachgoes) Also zandvoort has had recently had some really big court battles because of its extension since it was a protected zone for land and animals since its in the dunes The only reason it got revived at all as far as i understand it all is because certain fan base was growing so quickly they demanded a dutch gp and that audience was growing altough it wasn't a motorsport audience but a max audience the majority did not even know what motorsport was and still don't know what formula 2 or any other category (not saying everyone but the majority) The reason it got pushed is also partly the reason it stops + the ticket price issue was relevant here as well the organization behind was really eco friendly (public transport was pushed massively for that event alone so no or as little cars will create congestion And because people just keep to max and don't have that massive attraction to the event (even tho the event was well received) the cost plus the fact don't really care for the track outside f1 time makes it very hard for the orginizers to promote and try to subsidize the event

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

I also know some other information. The Zandvoort track itself is a test track. Although it has a history of hosting F1, it was eventually terminated due to profitability issues. The track was added in 2020. It was not originally a long-term contract. It was a proposal to fill the race cycle. Just like Imola was not originally on the calendar.

[@NielsHeldens]

Just my thoughts here. In the statement of the supreme leader His Imperial Highness Stefano Tiberius Caligula Domenicali Commodus to motorsport he mentioned the high demand for a slot on the F1 calendar. Mentioning the likes of Thailand, South-Korea, Rwanda, Saudi-Arabia (Qiddiya) and some other countries I cannot remember from the top of my head. This move supposedly should allow for those countries to get an annual (or less likely biennial) slot, while dropping off the ones you mentioned near the end, or rotating them as well. The thing is that those countries, being newer markets, might be more influential to trend development. Maybe F1 will become less popular in some of those countries for one reason or another, and the demand for a race might not be there anymore. This is different for countries like Rwanda and Saudi-Arabia, where there is a clear purpose to market the country favourably through sports by means of massive funds (sportswashing, YAY). It is maybe unrealistic to expect a company to limit guaranteed income (lucrative contracts like the Qatar and Saudi-Arabia ones) for historically relevant events that maybe are less financially stable with smaller guaranteed incomes for the organisers or FOM. Especially if a whole heap of new fans seemingly will just clap at anything they get served, and have little regard for historical relevance beyond the late 2010s. I for one would rather shit in my hands and clap than the dogma of those fans. Looking at this purely from a my point of view as a roughly 20-year long fan: I dislike the trend thoroughly. Looking beyond it from a business point of view, moves like this come to the detriment of the sporting aspect of F1. An aspect that has slowly been eroded for financial/entertainment purposes throughout the years, in my opinion. It is my sincere hope that this is just a blip and loved historical tracks get more certainty. Apologies for the long one, here's a cookie 🍪

[@Dat-Mudkip]

I think it *stongly* depends on what track(s) rotate with Spa as to how accepting the rotation idea is. Miami and Qatar both have no business being on the calendar; Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia are all questionable at best.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Spa is really the last track left that reminds me of watching F1 as a little kid. I miss some of those tracks. Nurburgring, Watkins Glen, Kyalami, Sepang. I do hope Hockenheim comes back. I'd gladly trade the Miami GP for a better race somewhere else, or maybe just give everybody a break instead.

[@MlCROPIZZA]

If there is some tracks that should be in rotation it is those many street tracks we have. Vegas, Miami, Jeddah and so on. If these races would be in rotation it would mean less stress on city network as these races takes several months to build and remove outside of the race weekend. So 1/4 of the year there is some construction going on those same places where the circuit runs, every...single...year.

[@simontravers2715]

Bahrain’s contract is like paying your house off, saving loads of money, quitting your job, then just laying back for 11 years enjoying yourself while everyone else is running round trying to get stuff sorted 🇧🇭

[@mickmckpng3153]

It's a battle to keep history. In the end the Saudis will just have a track with corners named after the iconic races they have nicked......

[@guessundheit6494]

Why not rotate the yank races between LV, Austin, and Miami? Two per year is enough. The only "good" thing about 24 races is parts failures and replacements shaking up the starting grid via penalties. With only 20 races, that will still happen.

[@chrisguardiano6143]

As an American, I think it should just be one race in this country per season which is the US GP. I would be okay with the US GP being alternated between Austin & Indy. The reason why I would want Indy to host the US GP over both Vegas & Miami is because Indy is much more historical & has a greater brand value.

[@KingofClubsMCDLXXXVIII]

because cota is a good track. drop the other 2 sht ones and keep the good one

[@illdeletethismusic]

@@chrisguardiano6143 Indy track isn"t particularly interesting, especially when seen in contrast to the excellent infields at Daytona

[@o484]

This American agrees. It would not only free up calendar space, but also, rotating the races would mean that each region would still have its own race, which would be a huge benefit for a country as physically large as the US.

[@AeroGuy07]

Ask anyone whose job involves extensive travel, its hell. My brother was a sound guy and traveled the world with some of the biggest bands/acts of the 80s and 90s. He's been places I can only dream of going. But all he saw when he went to these places were airports and venues. And restaurants. A day off wasn't spent sightseeing, it was spent resting.

[@davec8921]

Personally I would like a 30-40 race calendar, but I don't have to go make that happen every week. I'd also get rid of all the pay tracks from places with terrible human rights issues

[@deanpierce9048]

I actually quite like the idea of circus alternating, it gives you a chance to see as many different circus as possible without having a ridiculously long season, and I am all for it! That’s not to say I won’t be disappointed when my favourite circuit is on the calendar For the upcoming year, but there are also so many that have already gone that I would like to see back, and the only way to see them back is through alternating races

[@HabitualLine-Stepper]

Conspiracy theory time... The Las Vegas GP is promoted by Liberty Media themselves... The Las Vegas GP also has the most overtakes of any race on the calendar (60). Spa had over 60 overtakes in 2023 then, after a change in the DRS zone, the number of overtakes in the 2024 race halved to 33. Just like the F1 logo redesign years ago, F1 races are now produced for digital content... DTS fuels this, as new fans want their favourite drivers to be accessible, and the Belgian forest isn't very accessible for most. Spa is the perfect embodiment of a time when F1 and its drivers were distant, inaccessible, mysterious, dangerous and pure motorsport.

[@nathanrice6183]

Here for the f1 news and opinions, stayed for the Simpson's quotes and references. Awesome work as usual Aidan

[@micodyerski1621]

1 of 5 Forever Tracks

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

Remember, the British GP nearly moved to Donington. Nothing is forever. I get that Spa has history, but so does Monaco, and Monaco gets criticized for not working with modern cars.

[@liamgbooth]

Changing calendars up might inadvertently close the competition up. If you have a consistent year to year calendar the top teams will have the data followed through from following seasons. While a lower team with disjointed management and engineering teams that havent been around for two seconds wont have the wealth of knowledge a Newey would have. Just a thought.

[@diegocraigdallie]

1:46 I thought you were going to say "Still...could be worse."

[@brendanmccallion2350]

😂

[@Rob2]

I think what happened: Spa and Zandvoort both were negotiating a 2-year rotation but at the last moment Zandvoort opted to stop in 2026. The 2028 and 2030 slots were intended for Zandvoort before that, and now they are empty and to be taken somewhere else.

[@Alan-cg8gx]

They should put the Monaco car park on rotation.

[@markc8956]

Again,we CANNOT lose historic races like Monaco. We don't need show races like Vegas. Put that crap fest on rotation.

[@qbertq1]

"Blinded by nostalgia" is the only reason Monaco is still on the calendar.

[@JackKeithley]

Frozen yoghurt….Froghurt! That’s good! 😁 timely references!

[@mavstar_68lancia44]

Thought provoking content as always Aiden…. Be nice to think there was hope to bring Adelaide back on rotation too ;)

[@rogerjohnson6676]

Totally agree, drop the number of races, more races is a cash grab that’s going to see driver burnout. Do something about the cars so they’re not trucks as well, out put some bodywork on them only turn left and bring in NASCAR fans.

[@jfm0155]

Spa, Monza, Monaco, Silverstone, Suzuka and Interlagos should be untouchable no matter what. You don't see Tennis moving the French Open to Saudi Arabia either. With Zandvoort and Barcelona gone after 2026, there will be two more races in non-traditional venues, you don't actually think they're gonna downsize the calendar do you?

[@msc1701]

i think they will drop the racing down to maybe 20 to 22 to try to stop burn out on the team personal with some tracks rotating

[@Bartman954]

0:55 Can I go now? *Grabs evil Krusty doll*

[@sandmaenchen]

Losing Malaysia was a shame, so I'm just glad we're not losing Spa completely. Of these newer circuits, the one that has left me with the most positive vibes is probably Bahrain; I liked the layout in rFactor and since it has been the opening race for GP2/F2, it has delivered some very entertaining races (like 2017 with Leclerc).

[@gbarnewall1]

I think I’ll be putting F1 on rotation too

[@MichaelGloverMusic]

THE best simpsons reference yet 🤣🤣👏

[@BongoBaggins]

We need to make room for more Arab tracks.

[@ivaneurope]

The thing is that more and more countries want a piece of the action. There are constant talks about F1 returning at Kyalami, binging back the South African GP, now Rwanda wants to bring the African continent back on the calendar. Then you have Thailand in the mix given that Alex Albon is in F1, but rather than using the Buriram Circuit (which hosts the MotoGP race), a street circuit is proposed. And given the resurgance of interest due to Franco Colapinto, Argentina is also vying to return to the calendar. There have been mumblings that New Zealand might also be interested in light of Liam Lawson being part of the grid. With so many countries vying to become part of the F1 circus FOM has to make a choice - either balooning the calendar up even more, drop some existing races or put some on a rotating basis. The rotation basis is FOM's way of 'having your cake and eat it too'

[@vaclav_fejt]

Instead of answering the question, she answered THE question.

[@erictheriot7144]

This is my favorite track. I live in the US take one of ours. SPA is the center of F1. Don't change anything to the track as well.

[@Minx5892]

Thing is the Saudi money is far beyond anything European tracks are paying. Like it’s in the hundreds of millions compared to £20 so million. You can use that money to build up other things in the sport. I don’t like it but you can’t really refuse that much money. F1 needs to sustain itself and is ultimately a business. Money doesn’t grow on trees and nothing is actually for free (that money comes from somewhere). Rotating tracks at least keeps the calendar as short as possible. Shouldn’t be Spa but something’s got to go for a year.

[@tacticalnuclearpingutv290]

The ECB said the about Cricket and putting every England match behind a pay wall with Sky in 2006. What has happened since then? The entire sport has gone backwards in England with the grassroots suffering as - you guessed it - those cashing the cheques had no intention of putting it into the wider sport. None of the this money Liberty makes goes into the wider sport, rather their shareholders back pockets.

[@aggonzalezdc]

You know what would be great? A tiny blurb of what you're actually seeing in each photo. The filename written at the bottom often gives you an answer but they're short, limited, and hard to see. Just something that says what you're looking at, driver, car, location ace, year. Or whatever.

[@hecksters423]

Alternate title: Belgian GP situation is crazy

[@cmajaa1]

When Nascar expanded from it's traditional tracks after the 90's it really lost what made it interesting to watch and has yet to recover it.

[@North-101-Racing]

So Nascar can't expand?? How that make sense?

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

I noticed that the number of spectators in American motorsports is declining sharply, many events are lacking spectators, the auditoriums are empty, and some costs can only be recovered through television broadcasts.

[@rexthewolf3149]

@@GeometryEX-hp9zsthat has been the case for a while.

[@tacticalnuclearpingutv290]

Absolutely on the money and I’ve been saying the same for the past couple of years. The TV growth for F1 in target markets is slowing down and more and more the core fanbase is dwindling. There’s only so many transient fans a sport can carry, and by selling out the core fans you’re left chasing shadows from a business perspective

[@Krisopolis]

Looking forward to seeing Ugo Ugochukwu mount his title challenge at the 2036 Bahrain Grand Prix

[@illdeletethismusic]

i think the hosting discount could be solved if there were a publicly known, obvious method for allocating the discount. just have groups depending on how many of the seasons those tracks have featured in. 90% or more 75% or more 50% or more no discount for the others.

[@LMPDragon]

I think, realistically, I would prefer if the tracks on the calendar weren't predominantly street circuits looking for a quick buck. If these countries have money to throw at hosting an F1 race, they should have the money to build a dedicated Grade 1 circuit. I'm personally not a fan of European tracks and much prefer the uniqueness of Asian circuits, though. Rotation is good to spice up the variety, though. I can enjoy driving a different circuit every year and know I'm going to get something different. Ultimately, I don't care what is on the calendar. I feel a shorter but higher quality calendar is better. Keep the tracks which have the best reception (Except Monaco, which has its own unique charm in the big event is qualifying and not the race) and drop those looking for fast money.

[@randomchannel-px6ho]

It's all about politics. FOM is looking out for their wallet. That's all there is to it, fans who care so deeply about the "tradition" or whatever should just be happy it was a strong enough sentiment to keep it going a bit longer.

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

In fact, for all parties involved in F1, it is not profitable for track contractors. As for the teams, they need sponsorship to make money. It has been unprofitable for a long time, and I think the subsidies are about to collapse. Once the bubble bursts, I don't think there will be 24 tracks, maybe less than 6 tracks.

[@BungleBare]

At this rate Liberty are going to have to get inventive if everyone’s going to be kept happy. I can see something radical having to happen. One possible solution that struck me (and I don’t think this is a good idea, personally - it’d be overkill, with a far too bloated calendar) is that Liberty might group races into world regions, and have sub-sets of the calendar. I’ll explain; Subset 1 might be Middle East and Africa, Subset 2 Pacific rim (China, Japan, Singapore, Australasia, etc.), Subset 3 Europe; Subset 4 The Americas. Each subset would have a minimum of six races (probably around double figures in Europe’s case), and teams could change drivers at will, but only a maximum of 24 races would count towards a driver’s championship tally. The constructors championship would cover all races. Liberty would have 30 plus races a year, drivers would be able to strategically sit out races if they/the team chose (or do the bulk of them and drop scores for their weakest rounds), more chances for young drivers, crowd pleasing local drivers at certain rounds, etc. As I say, it would be overkill, but I can see Liberty coming up with something as ingenious as that to allow for an ever-expanding calendar.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

The modern cars have "outgrown" some of the classic tracks. Canada springs to mind. Monaco is usually a bore, but that's not new. Dropping one of the U.S.A. races would alleviate some of the pressure on the teams. Having said all that, F1 is riding a wave of popularity that continues to build - at least in North America. So maybe changing anything that would affect that phenomenon is going to be "off the table."

[@FNTM2k3]

If this deal helps them keep the lights on, then yeah, I’m okay with it. Spa should be around for decades to come, as should many other tracks around the world.

[@deanpierce9048]

When I was a kid, I had F1 2003 on PlayStation two, and was very disappointed that I couldn’t drive around spa, when I was a little bit older I got F1 2006 for Christmas… still no spa 😢

[@purushswaminathan5693]

where can I find the intro jazz piano music? it bops 🕺

[@jeffsan0.5]

Imo losing CotA to Vegas and Miami would be a big lose. Vegas has been pretty good so far, Miami has been ok, but CotA has been awesome for over a decade, the layout is amazing, especially s3, all the fights there are usually a treat to watch. Of the 3 race in USA, it would be a huge shame to lose the best one.

[@heliumtrophy]

I think the consensus is drop Miami which I believe is correct.

[@jack303030]

The Dutch GP only came to life because of max and it will disappear again when he move's on. Imola came back on the calendar because they needed circuits during covid. A calendar with 20 races is more than enough. You could do an average of 1 race per 2 weeks. That leaves you 12 weeks downtime for the mechanics.

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

It wasn't actually because of MAX initially, it was because the FIA ​​needed to fill the calendar gap after a three-month break. Zandvoort was added on a temporary basis.

[@MattBirtcher]

“And bits and pieces like that😂”

[@ps1racingchallenge145]

With my pragmatic hat on, I'm satisfied for Spa to be on rotation if the alternative is losing it altogether. But I'd rather it stayed yearly of course. For a long time I've considered track rotation a necessary thing for F1 to accomodate all of the potential venues without overfilling the calendar, but I'd rather it was Miami and Vegas on rotation instead of historics.

[@johnduncan5117]

The thing that really did it for me was when I read Spa could be rotated with a race in Rwanda. I just knew the Tories wouldn't give up on their awful policy, but sending refugees there in lorries disguised as F1 transport is a new low.

[@thenic123]

Someone would start a poll of what tracks should be permanent on the calendar and which should be rotated and submitted to the FIA and FOM.

[@rexthewolf3149]

Then that will be put next who pays the most and that will decide who stays.

[@michaelstankiewicz6617]

One thing to consider is what tracks would we like to see join the calendar. Spa is a great track, but the races have not been great. Would we like to see Turkey back on the menu, if it was on rotation? What about Kyalami? Do we look at having a French and/or German grand prix again, given we have both drivers and manufacturers from those countries. I personally would love to see Monaco go to rotation, it makes it even more special on that Saturday, but we lose the snore fest which is the Sunday. Imola has too many feelings attached to it, and I would hate to lose it as a venue.

[@alextohivsky899]

I sorta like rotation of European grand prixs. There are so many great tracks spa could rotate with. Tracks such as Portugal , German, Turkey, French (magney cours updated) Mugello. Or let go back to Malaysia if we lose Mexico. I hope the addition of street circuits is done after adding a silly Madrid street track.

[@mattt525]

I love Spa, and I certainly wish it was EVERY year. But Interlagos can NEVER go off the calendar again. Silverstone is also a really really important track in my opinion. However I think what the play here is that track organizers are learning that people will pay MORE for race tickets that are more limited. Basically "ooohhh' this race only ever comes once every three years now so I better buy a ticket now, because I cannot wait ANOTHER three years!"

[@Mr.Scootini]

If Spa is on the chopping block, then so should Monaco. You can hardly call Monaco GP a race. It more like a parade….

[@dbaider9467]

Are the FIA mad? Hopefully this current situation will be...corrected. F1 without Spa would not really be F1.

[@whizzo94]

Spa, one of the best tracks, if not the best. Why the hell would you put this track on rotation? I'd be interested to hear the driver's opinions.

[@rexthewolf3149]

Because spa doesn’t bring in the money that the other tracks do. I’m not just talking about the Middle East but the other Europe tracks probably have more favorable deals. In all likelihood Spa’s owners were given a deal that included rotating at the cost of a cheaper contract. And thus they chose it.

[@dontwannaname]

If there is more rotation between seasons, it'll be interesting to see how the engineers cope with it. I.e. If there are significantly more high speed tracks one year, will they have to change their approach drastically and change it back the following season?

[@nowind37]

well f1 can have a race at Zolder, Misano, Valencia or Kyalami

[@jarigustafsson7620]

Valencia = sochi 🤦

[@nowind37]

@@jarigustafsson7620 no i meant circuit ricardo tormo in valencia dont confuse with the street circuit its the Circuit Ricardo Tormo that MotoGP and Formula E used it i want the valencian gp in f1

[@clossd5751]

10:58 From a Dutchie: if Verstappen leaves F1, F1 wouldn't be our second most watched sport anymore (didn't check the viewership stats for this, but it 100% feels like it). Zandvoort ticket sales would absolutely crash.

[@tjroelsma]

Zandvoort is also one of those tracks that are only on the calendar because of greed in my opinion. Our illustrious slumlord Prince wanted to have the F1 at Zandvoort, so millions were invested, both from corporate and taxpayer money. Ecclestone was greedy and made F1 ever more expensive. Liberty Media is even greedier and has made F1 almost a joke in my opinion: - 24 races in a season? Ridiculous. - sprintraces? Don't see the point. - multiple races in countries that have lots of money and want the F1 race for the prestige? Also ridiculous. - all those street circuits and Herman Thielke's I-have-a-box-with-standard-corners-that I-put-in-a-random-sequence-and-hey-presto-a-new-track circuits? Give me a break.

[@overredrover9430]

Sounds similar to the German Grand Prix and Schumacher

[@Leo-wx5ok]

The Enshittification of absolutely everything in society will continue until morale improves!

[@ibex485]

Putting tracks on rotation... Basically pairing up much loved traditional tracks up and telling them to fight to the death. Whoever survives longest before running out of money stays, until inevitably running out of money too within a few years.

[@andrewlewis5762]

Aiden, be careful of the "thing"........😅

[@BW_87]

Hate. This. So. Much. Spa is one of THE most loved F1 tracks and should be on every year WITHOUT exception. I’d rather Silverstone go bi-yearly tbh

[@EltonMcManus]

We definitely need to reduce the amount of races per year. 16 races was special, 18 felt like a bonus, 24 (plus 6 sprints, don't get me started on those) seems like a slog and i don't want that for my favourite sport.

[@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1]

I think the sweet spot is 18-20 races any more and you dilute the special feeling of what a GP is honestly 24 is too many races and makes each race less important

[@AndrewDevine-p7f]

@@RANDOMZBOSSMAN1 I agree, 18-20 is the sweet spot. We are only 3 more Grand Prix's away from being added to a season to meaning that more than half of a year's weekends are Grand Prix weekends.

[@GeometryEX-hp9zs]

What's more fatal is that in 24 races, it's been so boring. I can't find any track that is competitive enough. Because of the change in car manufacturing regulations, overtaking has become more difficult. Drivers have almost no way to overtake without DRS.

[@zerogee768]

I don't watch F1 these days, largely because the soul of the sport is drying out, the cars are seemingly "too perfect" and it's mostly about the aesthetics rather than simply, "build a good car, find a good driver, now just get on with it" Not to mention the sheer number of race weekends we have now. For me, sixteen was more than enough, but now we're currently sitting on twenty-four, I'm already knackered before the halfway point of the season.

[@shanebox3314]

The Put it in MGUH watchers will enjoy the froghurt bit. Can I go now?

[@DuvJones]

Silverstone is going to be interesting in the next few years because of the contract with ELMS, because if that does go really well... it will be harder for the ACO to say no to a WEC race there. If I am to be honest, there seems to be an appetite for that in the UK (helped by the Aston entries in Hypercar). Spa will be fine on rotation, their is alot more that goes on with the place than F1. Monza is looking to be under threat because it doesn't have much outside of F1, once they pull out, the "Temple of Speed" will likely go silent for a major event.

[@_JimS]

I'm good for 5 of 7 years at Spa, much better than it going away for good. I think Monza and Imola rotation is good too, I really like Imola. Vegas needs to start in early October and you can have Miami....

[@PapiJack]

Austin is the baby of Spa and Susuka. One of the new classics. Vegas and Miami are the crackheads out in the parking lot...

[@TaisinViper]

I think a massive NASCAR schedule for F1 would be hilarious

[@carlosriva-palaciob2115]

As a Mexican Fan I really hope this does not happen. I know that the Mexican GP Track isn't amazing, but the atmosphere, even before Checo was in Red Bull was Amazing

[@Neilios1000]

Yeah, yeah. Save Spa. It's a classic. Other non-descript mumblings. But about Imola... When I first started watching F1 on the regular, I always found Imola to be a dull race. It had been chicane'd to death. Now I love it. I think maybe they need to re-introduce the idea of the European Grand Prix, but it's used to take in tracks that can't support a yearly race. The tracks I'd put on it are Imola, Mugello, Zandvoort, Hockenheim, Portamao, and if we can find a good track in France, that too. Sure, you'd only get these tracks on the calendar once or twice a decade, but look at it this way; once a season every team would be going to a track where they have no relevant data, and who can dial in their car quickest and best. Financially, this is probably a terrible idea. But I do love it when F1 goes to a track for either the first time, or the first time in years. Oh, and they should get rid of Miami. And by extension, the race in Miami.

[@kieranbott]

Perhaps something like a "loyalty scheme" (for lack of a more apt phrase) might be better. Hold 50 Grands Prix, you get future ones for very little. 40, you pay more, but still get a decent discount, so on. All the way down to maybe 25 to keep the classics. With that said, Bahrain still feels like a new race to me rather than a classic, and I'm aware that will be heading for 25 by the end of the decade!

[@auracer5145]

I found 19-21 races is best, the painful thing about ‘24 was that each individual effort by each driver was way less significant. I think 21 balances the reward for consistency but also punishing DNFs

[@miriamreiss]

It's not about history, it's not about the fans, it's not even about safety issues, it's not about the drivers or the teams, it's not about great races.......it's only about MONEY!!!! If an Organizer isn't able to pay Liberty Media for hosting a race, then there won't be a race, period. Doesn't matter if it's a "Historic" or "Fan-Favored" Race......if the Dollars aren't rolling, no Wheel will be spinning. So welcome more and more "Artificial-Racetracks" in parts of the world where money is King, or Oil.....and be aware, there will be more races per season coming than this season.