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By Silvia Schweiger| Posted August 30, 2022 | In Formula 1, MotoGP
Formula 1 calendar 2023: news, rumors and officialdom
The 2022 season of
Formula 1
is still largely underway, but one of the hottest topics of debate is definitely about the calendar for next season. Expanding the boundaries of the circus is a rather well-known priority for Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group: the goal is to be able to cover all continents equally without going beyond 25 GPs per year-as per agreements with the teams. However, it will not be planned (at the moment) to exceed 24 stages-which would already be an absolute record. [1]
The 2023 calendar seems to have taken a clear shape judging by the confirmations and goodbyes made official during the summer break. But let’s analyze in order.
Au revoir, Paul Richard
The first illustrious absentee of the upcoming season will be the Paul Richard circuit in France. The inkling that the July race might be the last on French soil was no secret. From the various leaked rumors on the web, we will still see a French Grand Prix but on other tracks and in rotation with other European cities starting in 2024. This is confirmed by Domenicali himself:
“We are in discussions with the French federation and the government, the future will be increasingly tied to promoters who see the organization of a GP as an investment for the country.
Discussions are absolutely open for there to be a bright future. As you know, one of the possibilities could be in finding a proposal with a rotation that would allow everyone to be part of the calendar.” [2]
Still (for a little while?) Spa
Other news that is as recent as it is long-awaited is the confirmation for another year of the Belgian circuit in Formula 1 – considered by many industry experts to be one of the most important in the world. They have a point, given the history it enjoys: first official F1 race held in 1925 and land where Michael Schumacher won his seventh and final world title in 2004. [3]
Its appeal also lies in the sport’s most iconic feats, such as the overtaking of Mika Häkkinen to the German’s damage at the exit of the famous Eau Rouge-Raidillon (translated as “rise of the red waters”-for the river that flows below the bend-and recognized more commonly as Eau Rouge) in the Belgium Grand Prix 2000. It is also sometimes remembered for the dangerous nature of that same corner, paid dearly by young Frenchman Anthoine Hubert (particularly in friendship with Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc) who lost his life during the F2 GP in 2019.
Lurking in the excellent news of his renewal is the specter of years to come, as the agreement was made on the basis of a single season. Will we say goodbye to Spa-Francorchamps from 2024?
Monaco and Monza in the balance: the new that is advancing
That it is the European stages that have to adjust to the “new figures” circulating in Liberty Media ‘s little gem has become quite obvious. Contracts closed both overseas and in the East make it well believed that countries like Qatar (capable of investing $55M per season for 10 years) or Miami (able to derive $350M from the single GP-held last May for the first time) are dictating the pace in recent renewal negotiations. [4]-[5]
Las Vegas itself could become a new benchmark, as F1 has invested $240M in building the appropriate facilities and expects to make $1B within 10 years. [6]
The Monaco street circuit also enjoys great historical appeal, but also various structural and economic privileges. In fact, it is one of the rare places in the world where it is possible to watch the race on private yachts by the sea or from the balconies of buildings overlooking the runway. It is also the circuit that pays the least money to participate currently($15M per season). [4]
Similar argument applies to the Italian Grand Prix, which represents a progenitor not only of Formula 1 but of all motorsport.
This is what Domenicali wanted to declare – about both stages – on the eve of the Belgian GP:
“The financial contribution of investment is very important, but we have always said that historical races even if they cannot guarantee the money that other promoters bring in, they have our full respect.
Monza will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, and it is an outstanding achievement. But-and I say this as an Italian-I have always said that history is not enough to guarantee a future and Monza needs to update its structure.
We are undoubtedly talking about one of the most iconic circuits ever, but we must also look ahead. We want to carry on traditions, but this should not take for granted that we are always there no matter what.” [7]
Old acquaintances return: South African Grand Prix
As mentioned at the beginning, including all continents in the fight for the world title is a goal of the F1 leadership. Africa is a piece that has been missing for 30 years now and may soon return to Kyalami.
There has been much discussion of an inclusion as early as 2023, but with Spa’s recent confirmation, the chances of seeing it in action may slip to 2024. Nothing is given for certain yet, but the feeling is that to host such an event, a few illustrious European names must step back first.
Chloe Targett-Adams, as Global Director of Race Promotion in F1, said that both Africa and Asia are added values to the circus:
“We have been working for many years to have a foothold in Africa.
Africa and Asia are the short- and medium-term goal, and how we continue to run in Europe is also an important issue, to make sure we keep the heart of the sport.
We are in a wonderful position because everyone wants Formula 1. This gives us the opportunity to create the most strategic and growth-oriented calendar we have been able to do for many years now.” he added. [8]
To sum up, the farewell of the Paul Richard in France and the confirmation of another year for Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium were the most striking news of August. Still to be decided and many fates in the balance. The final verdict will be known around October, with theofficial announcement of the 2023/24 Formula 1 World Championship calendar.
What is certain will be the spectacle of one of the most adrenaline-fueled and followed sports-as never before, thanks to an estimated 1 billion fans-across the global landscape. [9]
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[1] – https://www.f1world.it/formula-1-2023-quante-saranno-le-gare-del-calendario/amp/
[5] – https://frontofficesports.com/formula-1-grand-prix-brought-350m-lift-to-miami/
[6] – https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-240m-las-vegas-construction-plot/10304856/amp/
[7] – https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-domenicali-/10357378/amp/
Silvia Schweiger
Associate Director, Executive Marketing and Commercial at RTR Sports Marketing, a London-based sports marketing company specializing in motorsport for over 25 years. Without sports, life is boring
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Read MoreWhy choose RTR Sports Marketing
In an era where it is possible to get anywhere with a click, there is a strong temptation to approach teams and properties directly for sponsorship projects.
By doing so, we are convinced that we are shortening the value chain, saving time and money. However, these DYI methods are anything but risk-free and what initially appears to be a competitive advantage soon turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve. That’s why there are agencies. And this is why you should rely on us for your sponsorships.
Save time and money
When first approaching a sponsorship or sports marketing project, it is difficult to know immediately which stakeholders are correct, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Sports is a very specialized field of action, and fitting effectively into its paths can take a lot of time and therefore money. We, on the other hand, know referents and spheres of action and know who to talk to, when and how. So you are also more effective.
The right information, the right choice
Sports is an immense passion, and for our heart colors we would be willing to do anything. But business is a different business, and it is important to make the best possible strategic decisions based on independent research, statistics and reliable data. A sports marketing and sports sponsorship agency like RTR has an objective, 360-degree picture of the scenario and can tell you what is really best for you: which sport, which athlete, which team. This is because we possess a great deal of data and information on ratings, segmentation and attitudes. Because the numbers don’t lie. Never.
Activations are the beating heart
Activations are the real heart of sports sponsorship. Without them, there remains only a blank sticker on a motorcycle, car or uniform and no contact with the public, no emotional connection, no impact on the bottom line. Then how do you do it? It certainly won’t be the teams or the athletes who will help you leverage sponsorship and enjoy the many marketing rights you have paid for. To bring out the best in a sports marketing project you need an agency that knows how to use sponsorship to engage the fanbase on the Web, to reach out to Shopping Centers, to organize hospitality, to develop B2B and B2C opportunities, and to get “your” athletes in front of millions of potential consumers.
Objective measurements for a certain return
Would you ever go to the dealer who sold you the car and ask if the competitor’s car is better? No, of course. So, how do you expect to get firm measurements of the effectiveness of your sponsorship if you do not rely on someone super partes? At RTR, we have always worked with independent third-party agencies that allow us to know the return on any exposure of your brand on TV and in the media. In addition, we believe in calculating ROI as the ultimate measure of your success-so we can tell you for every penny you spend how much you are making.
Sit back, relax, we’ll take care of it
We have been involved in sports sponsorship and sports marketing for more than 15 years. We are consultants in the sense that our goal is to maximize your investment, but we are also an agency that manages the project from start to finish. We have been doing this since 1995 with passion and professionalism, following three principles that have become cornerstones of our business: independence, verticality and transparency.
I would like to highlight the fact that one of the qualities of RTR is its great ability to approach the sponsorship scenario strategically, together with its passionate attitude, its amazing enthusiasm for solving problems, and its high level of professionalism.
Gianluca Degliesposti
Executive Director Server&Storage EMEA
Eurosport is truly delighted with its business relationship with Riccardo Tafà, who has become extremely popular, thanks to his detailed knowledge of the sports marketing sector and his highly diligent attitude to work.
Francois Ribeiro
Commercial Director
Passion and Expertise are the features that I have found in RTR since the very beginning. Serious and reliable professionals but also very helpful, nice and open-mind people, willing to listen and compare different ideas. All the values in which RTR believes make this agency a partner, not just a supplier, a partner with whom we have had the opportunity to achieve significant commercial results in term of success and image.
Luca Pacitto
Head of Communication
We have been working with RTR Sports Marketing for over 10 years. The objectives and the programmes of collaboration continue to be renewed and to grow with mutual satisfaction. I believe RTR is a team of great professionals led by Riccardo Tafà, who I consider a manager of exceptional skills and with a great passion for his work.
Lucio Cecchinello
Team Principal
I have known and worked with Riccardo Tafà since 1995 when we collaborated for the first time on a project for the Williams Formula 1 team. Several clients followed. After leaving Williams to work for Gerhard Berger then owner of the Toro Rosso F1 Team, I turned again to Riccardo to seek his help in finding a tool supplier for the team and Riccardo duly obliged with an introduction to USAG, a partnership with Toro Rosso which endured for five years. I recently started a new role as Group Commercial Director for the renowned Andretti Autosport organisation and I find myself working with Riccardo once again on a number of interesting projects. Why has this relationship with Riccardo endured ? He’s smart, knows the commercial side of sport inside out and back to front and he’s honest and trustworthy. Riccardo Tafà is a “doer” not a “talker”: in over 20 years I have never had a dispute either with him or with a company that he has introduced and each partnership introduced by Riccardo has delivered quantifiable ROI to rights holder and sponsor alike. I can think of no better testimonial of Riccardo’s diligence, knowledge, contact base and hard work than that.
Jim Wright
Group Commercial Director
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