South Africa and Austria soon to return to F1?
New Grand Prix races could be added to the F1 calendar in the coming years, with South Africa's return seemingly in the pipeline for several months already, as well as Austria.
The Formula 1 World Championship calendar has reached a record number of 20 Grand Prix this year, but its expansion could continue to include new destinations in the coming years, especially since the new Concorde Agreements should allow for more than 20 Grand Prix per season. This could allow some nations that no longer host a Formula 1 Grand Prix to apply again, starting with Mexico, whose Grand Prix seems more likely than ever to return. Another South American country could also bring F1 back to its soil, namely Argentina, although for now, nothing seems truly concrete.
The United States will also return to the F1 calendar starting this year in Austin and for a second race near New York in 2013 if things materialize, as Bernie Ecclestone has expressed concern about the organization of the race recently. The Briton has not ruled out the idea that other North American events might be added to the calendar in the long term, while Russia will make its debut in 2014.
Another country has also been bidding for several months to see F1 return to its country, namely South Africa, which last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1993. According to the website Pitpass, a Grand Prix should be organized by 2015 near the city of Cape Town.
According to the British site, the new Concorde Agreements require the approval of the top three teams over the past four seasons for the selection of new destinations if the proportion of races held in Europe and North America falls below 60%. This year, that’s the case since “only” 9 out of 20 races are organized in Europe and North America. Therefore, organizing a Grand Prix in Africa would require the teams’ agreement even if Bernie Ecclestone could decide to organize new races in Europe “to compensate,” such as the addition of a French Grand Prix or the return of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Indeed, according to *Pitpass*, the company in charge of Formula 1’s intellectual rights has recently registered a trademark for the name Grosser Preis von Osterreich (Grand Prix of Austria in French). The Red Bull Ring, formerly known as A1 Ring, which completed its renovation a little over a year ago, could be the host of this new F1 event.
New Grand Prix that could be added to the 2013 calendar
Grand Prix of the Americas – organized in New Jersey near New York
Argentine Grand Prix
Grand Prix of France
Mexican Grand Prix
New Grand Prix that could be added to the 2014 calendar
Russian Grand Prix
New Grand Prix events that could be added to the 2015 calendar
South African Grand Prix
