No Replacement for Russian GP as F1 Fails to Set New Calendar Record for Second Straight Season

Formula 1 has announced that it will not be replacing the Russian GP, resulting in a 22 race season this year. Earlier in the year, Formula 1 had terminated its contract with the promoter of the Russian GP. F1 took it further to never race in Russia in the future. There were speculations that a doubleheader in Singapore was on the card; quite visibly that did not come to fruition. 

The statement from Formula 1 obviously comes as a surprise since F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was confident that a replacement could indeed be found. Given that in the wake of the pandemic, F1 had gone racing and went to alternative calendars; there was always a possibility of an alternative venue.

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“We have already proven in the last couple of years to be very flexible and not to have any problem in finding possible solutions to that,” Domenicali said. “So I can just confirm that could be an option for this year with no problem at all.”

Why there was no replacement for the Russian GP?

The consequences of the Russian-Ukraine conflict have been felt by industries worldwide, and F1 teams aren’t immune to it. Sochi’s place on the calendar also posed challenges to replace it. After the Russian GP, the F1 circus was to arrive in Singapore and then Japan. Hence, adding an extra race in Europe would mean that teams have to send their kits and pieces back to base and then Singapore.

Furthermore, rising ticket prices and freight costs, coupled with high bills for hotels, would make it practically impossible for the teams to deal with.

Despite having alternatives, it seemed the benefits of not adding another race outweighed having one. Guenther Steiner had pitched in his thoughts regarding the rising costs to RaceFans.

“Especially with the higher costs of transport and things like this. F1 will make sure that we go to place and the fee is adequate so it costs the travel cost and then we are not losing money and we just go to one more place.” 

Not everyone a fan of the increasing calendar

Russia not being replaced means that instead of an action-packed 23 races, there will be only 22 races. This comes as a relief for the staff involved; especially the trackside team who are affected by a race schedule. 

When Formula 1’s record-breaking 23 race calendar was issued, not everyone was a fan of it. Liberty Media is obviously trying to capitalize on the newfound popularity of Formula 1. However, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez made a pretty strong statement about the increasing calendar and even threatened to quit.

“Right now, you’re basically [immersed in] it because we have so many races. We have simulator sessions before each event. We have partner events,” said the Mexican in an interview with The Athletic. 

“So we basically have zero time for ourselves and for our families. I have a couple of young children [with a third on the way].”

“I think if the calendar [expands] more, then I definitely will not do it.”

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There have been rising debates about the increasing calendar and calls being made to consider a more balanced schedule for the staff.