The 2022 calendar to feature record 23 races – with plans for Sprints at a third, reveals F1 boss Domenicali

Next year’s Formula 1 calendar is set to feature a record-breaking 23 Grands Prix, with the campaign set for a mid-November finish, according to F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali…

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the championship is still set for it’s longest ever season this year, with 22 races pencilled in and 15 already completed, but F1 is aiming to go one better next year.

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"I can anticipate that, for sure, the calendar will be done with 23 races," said Domenicali in an interview with Sky Sports. "Of course we will be very respectful towards the Covid regulations issued around the world from the different governments. But that is our aim that F1 can give this sign of hope and to go to normal things to enjoy.”

The full 2022 calendar is expected to be revealed later this month, though newcomers Miami have already confirmed they will host their first event on the weekend of 6-8 May, and Domenicali confirmed the series is set for its earliest finish in nearly a decade with a mid-November finish (this year’s final race will take place on 13 December).

“The idea is to make sure there is the right rhythm to the calendar,” he said. “There are of course considerations related to periods to make sure logistically the flow has to be right.

"One thing I can tell you, without discovering too many things is that next year the season will start in the middle of March and will finish in the middle of November."

The F1 Sprint format has debuted at two races this season – Silverstone and Monza – and will have a third run-out at Interlagos, Brazil, next month.

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Domenicali said the concept of running qualifying on a Friday, the Sprint on Saturday and Grand Prix on Sunday has been an “incredible success” and is currently planned to continue into next year at around seven or eight events.

"We said at the beginning of the year there would be three tests this year to make sure we have the right plan for the future," he said. "The vast majority of the comments we received were super positive. Promoters are super happy because there is something new and important on Friday and Saturday and Sunday.

"We are receiving this positive feedback therefore we need to know next year we have a great plan where we will consider also the points highlighted by people who did not like this format. Generally speaking it has been an incredible success.

"I can say we will not go everywhere with the Sprint format. It is something we want to keep for one third of the races more or less and to connect with a certain different way of giving rewards and points and to connect with specific circuits that as you know would make the difference."

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