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The French Grand Prix has been officially removed from the 2023 calendar. With other races also under threat, classic events are becoming increasingly rare.
The calendar is shaped by money, not tradition. In recent weeks, the repercussions of this reality have been particularly acute as the last Formula 1 cars roared around the historic Castellet circuit, marking the end of the French Grand Prix for the time being. The French stage, once an essential part of the sport, has disappeared after a brief return in 2022, for the second time since its first disappearance in 2008.
What was initially an isolated setback for French fans now heralds a more general trend. Iconic venues such as Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and the glittering street circuit in Monaco are now considered “under threat,” despite their status as flagship events that regularly attract the largest crowds and widest television audiences.
The underlying reason is a strategic pivot toward new markets that have little historical connection to the sport. Recent additions such as Jeddah, Miami, and the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix clearly illustrate the intention to establish Formula 1 in regions where the fan base is still developing, rather than cultivating the established circuits that have defined the championship for decades.
Critics argue that decision-makers are overlooking the emotional connection that fans have to the historic birthplaces of the sport. Imagine a season without the misty hills of Spa, the tight corners of Monaco's harbor, the blistering straights of Monza, or the passionate Brazilian crowds at Interlagos: a scenario that seems increasingly plausible.
The tension between commercial expansion and heritage preservation is now at a turning point. While the appeal of new venues promises new sources of revenue, the sport risks alienating the audience that has kept it alive for more than seventy years. The question remains: will Formula 1 find a balance that honors its pioneering circuits, or will the calendar become a showcase for novelty at the expense of its soul?
