F1 boss warns Italy may lose one Grand Prix amid calendar pressure

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has suggested that Italy may soon be limited to hosting just one Grand Prix in a year. This comes as the motorsport continues to expand into new territories, limited only by the length of its season.

Speaking to RAI radio, Domenicali was clear that there likely isn’t space for both the historic Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. 

“Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1,” he said. “It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months. It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.”

This obviously places both races in doubt. But the Imola-born chief isn’t taking this easily. 

“From a human point of view it will not be easy, but I have to exercise an international role that puts me in front of many requests around the world from emerging countries that can allow F1 to grow.”

Monza, or the Temple of Speed as it is known, has only missed one season in the whole of the sport’s history. It also has its contract confirmed until 2031. Imola, on the other hand, sees its contract run out at the end of 2025. It’s a possible candidate for it to be put on a rotating schedule.

“I do not forget that Imola responded at a time of great difficulty, that of Covid,” Domenicali confirmed. “When there was a need to find new places, they responded immediately with the enthusiasm and ability of an entire city.”

The 2025 season has expanded to an unprecedented 24 races, and with more countries wanting a place of their own in the long year of racing, there are few slots for new additions. This means an existing race will have to be removed before a new one can be added. Madrid, for example, is expected to join the 2026 season, and there has been strong interest from the likes of Thailand and Africa.