Domenicali: 24 races is "right number" for F1

F1's calendar ballooned to a record 24 races for 2024 with the addition of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.

The return of Shanghai's Chinese Grand Prix was then cancelled as a result of China's on-going COVID-19 policy, while Imola's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was called off due to severe flooding, reducing the calendar down to 22 races.

The 2024 calendar is expected to feature the same 24 events as this year's schedule, with talks underway to extend the Belgian Grand Prix's contract as a bid to return to South Africa faltered for a second consecutive year.

While 24 is the maximum number of races allowed under the current commercial agreements, there were concerns of F1 trying to push that number even higher in the future amid unease over the toll the calendar takes on F1 personnel.

But, according to F1 CEO Domenicali, the series will continue to target 24 events.

"What we want to do next year is 24 and I think 24 is the right number," Domenicali said on F1's Beyond the Grid podcast.

"It’s the number that is required within the market. I would say it’s the right balance between that, the complexity of the logistics and of the people that are working.

"I would say this is the number which we should target to be stable for a long time."

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, the rest of the field at the start

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Competition for calendar slots has only gotten fiercer amid F1's popularity boom. A comprehensive effort is being made to bring the Spanish Grand Prix to the streets of Madrid, while talk of rotating European rounds remains an option.

"It is true that Madrid wants to host a race in the future, no decision has been taken so far," he added.

"That's another great sign of the state of the health of Formula 1. Commercial and technical discussion will be taking place in the next couple of months.

"For the best of Formula 1, we will take the right decision, but we need to remember that we still have a contract with Barcelona.

"We are really very, very happy in the way that Barcelona is handling the future because of course, this will help them to react, to push for the improvement that is needed at all levels.

On rotating venues, an option which is not favoured by organisers of the Dutch and Belgian rounds but remains on the table as a long-term solution, Domenicali said: "In Europe, I am expecting to see races where the rotational principle could be applied.

"There are already talks with some of them and this is something that in the next two years we are going to clarify formally."