F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali believes there is the potential for the sport to sustain as many as thirty races a season, with Africa likely to be the next target.

2022 was to be the busiest in the sport's history, with 23 races scheduled. However, Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine changed all that.

Determined that 2022 will remain a record-breaker, F1 bosses are close to agreeing a replacement for Sochi, with Qatar thought to be the main contender, along with Portugal and Turkey.

With Pitpass sources having assured us that Las Vegas is a "done deal" and likely to appear as early as next year, one might have thought that this would be enough.

However, ignoring that old chestnut of 'quality over quantity', Stefano Domenicali admits that a schedule involving as many as 30 races a season is possible.

"We need to be balanced, we need to see what are the other opportunities," he tells Sky Sports. "And very soon we are going to tell everyone what is our strategy to develop that market.

"On top of America, on top of China, I think there is a potential also to be in Africa soon," he continues. "There is a lot of interest there. For sure that's another area that so far is missing in the geography of our calendar."

The current Concorde Agreement, which runs until 2025, allows 24 races per season.

"I think there is potential to go to 24," insists Domenicali. "I would say there is potential to go to 30, in terms of the interest we see all around the world.

"It is up to us to try to find the right balance considering what are the venues which would like to be in F1, what are the historical values we need to see on the calendar."

With the sport showing scant regard for its historical values in recent years - other than marketing purposes - the sceptical among you will no doubt be wondering if this isn't more about increasing the cash flow into the sport's coffers more than anything else, especially at a time Netflix is still winning over new fans.

Indeed though not naming names, Domenicali warns that as the sport seeks out fresh pastures, some of the more traditional venues may be left behind. No surprise that Monaco, possibly the most prestigious event on the calendar, but which does not pay a hosting fee, could be under threat.

"There are some promoters who have expiring agreements, and probably some of the current grands prix will no longer be part of the calendar," admits the Italian.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Tom2681, 27/03/2022 16:45

"2020 had 17 races and it was just fine."

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2. Posted by geordiemik, 25/03/2022 21:57

"So how many fans are going to devote 30 weekends to watching F1? I doubt whether they will be happy if the same number of fans spread their time over half the races. That should satisfy the tv advertisers."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 24/03/2022 15:10

"How does this tie into the cost cap?
The additional costs of another 7 races would surely add significantly to Teams' operational expenditure. Would this involve new venues - surely, they've already scraped the bottom of the barrel of despots in that respect?

"

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4. Posted by Defiant, 24/03/2022 15:01

"I'm beginning to think that people should just stop asking this guy questions.

God I miss Bernie"

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5. Posted by KKK, 24/03/2022 9:15

"Pembrey , Anglesey, Snetterton, Donington, F1 has become a joke,"

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6. Posted by @R1Racing71, 23/03/2022 21:04

"Knockhill and Mallory Park finally in with a chance then?
Back to back races……count me in."

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7. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 23/03/2022 20:12

"When will the powers-that-be realise that by increasing the number of races per season they devalue their status. Not for nothing are the Olympics regarded as the pinnacle of sporting contest - were they to reduce their 4 year cycle, that would be eroded. A visit to Specsavers might be timely for messrs Domenicali et al to correct their vision. Of course their $$$ tinted glasses are proof against any form of logic, or concern for those within the sport itself."

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8. Posted by habentsen, 23/03/2022 19:38

"30 races a season. Easy with a few tweaks.
1-2/30 - We start the season in Australia, but for environmental reasons, we do two races.
Race 1 under normal rules.
Race 2 without any car to pit radio. Pit has six calls available to use during the race.
3/30 - Singapore.
4/30 - Fujii
5/30 - Suzuka
6/30 - Bahrain
7/30 - Abu Dhabi
8/30 - Hungary
9/30 - Monza with normal rules
10/30 - Monza with no chicanes and the Monte Carlo aero package. You have to race with the same settings on your front/rear wing in Monte Carlo as the one you use here.
11/30 - Fiorano
12/30 - Imola
13/30 - Monte Carlo with C5 tires only and the aero package you used at Monza.
14/30 - Barcelona.
15/30 - Portimao
16/30 - Estoril
17/30 - Spa
18/30 - Nürburgring
19/30 - Red Bull Ring. Qualifying order here will be determined by the fastest team owner for one lap on rollerblades around the circuit. If your team owner fails to complete a lap, you start in the pit.
20/30 - Paul Ricard.
21/30 - Zandvoort
22/30 - Silverstone.
23/30 - Silverstone, but the queen decides the starting grid, in the order she fancy's.
24/30 - Canada
25/30 - Canada, but only the test/reserve drivers can race. Race only counts towards the constructor championship.
26/30 - Miami
27/30 - Indianapolis
28/30 - Austin
29/30 - Mexico
30/30 - Sao Paulo.

"

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9. Posted by Editor, 23/03/2022 15:45

"@ BrightonCorgi

Well, the way things are going, especially with an eye on Ukraine and its aftermath, the only countries that are going to be able to afford the hosting fees are those with a a more questionable attitude towards human rights and the like.

So expect lots more PR puff from Stefano on behalf of his puppet-masters and the teams as we head into new territories convinced that F1 can show us the nice side of those regimes previously thought of despotic."

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10. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 23/03/2022 15:39

"Beyond South Africa and Morocco; what other African countries are vying for an F1 race?

Does Nigeria have a track or aspirations to build one?"

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11. Posted by elsiebc, 23/03/2022 15:10

"Gee, I wonder if the threat of 30 races a season will force the promoters to pay more or will they see less value for a race, Stefano?"

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12. Posted by hussainahm, 23/03/2022 12:59

"Why aim so low, Stefano? If you host a race every weekend from March to December you can run at least 36 races!"

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F1 eyeing 30 races a season?

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