Tradition And Expansion. Is There Room For Both?

Max Verstappen, Red Bull, AGP. (C)

    Australian fans should be ecstatic. Formula One has exercised its option by extending the Australian Formula One Grand Prix's contract for another two years. This takes grand prix racing in Melbourne up to and including 2025. That's 30 years racing around Albert Park's idyllic lakeside street circuit. Punters have always supported our GP, so let's continue to do so. We trust you're enjoying our look back at this year's AGP in the Final Sector. 
    As F1 approaches its mid-season summer break, the driver market rumour mill for the following season usually steps up a gear. Who'll drive for which team? Who's going to retire? Who's going to make their debut? Another topic of discussion is the makeup of the next year's calendar. Whilst Australia's future is assured, a couple of other races are in jeopardy of dropping off the calendar. 2020 sees a new race in Vietnam, plus the reemergence of the Dutch GP at Zandvoort. This means that F1's already bulging calendar needs to drop two races. Where once it was under threat, Silverstone has shored up the British GP with a contract extension. A deal at Monza for the Italian GP is all but done. At the time of writing it seems Mexico, Spain and Germany are under threat. Despite Mexico only just coming back onto the calendar, it has history, is extremely well patronised, yet has asked for government assistance to remain viable. Last weekend's epic German GP is rumoured to be cut despite having an option in place for next year at this year's conditions. The resurrected Dutch GP is slated for May. Bearing in mind Monaco is also in May, what does that say for Spain? We have to ask though. Would the Dutch GP be on the calendar if it wasn't for the Max factor? There's no doubt that Red Bull's Dutch ace Max Verstappen is a huge talent. A potential world champion. His presence on the grid has largely bolstered numbers at almost all the European circuits. The sea of orange clad punters at races like Austria, France and Germany will attest to that. Just wait until Belgium. The Ardennes will look orange from space. 
    The last 20 years or so F1 has branched into new markets, mainly in Asia. Now Vietnam is the latest addition. Exploring new markets broadens F1's appeal and captivates new audiences, but at what cost? At the expense of F1's European heartland in an attempt to create new traditions in countries that year after year, may not be able to sustain F1's costs? Anyone remember the Indian, Malaysian or Korean GP? Don't misinterpret our sentiments. We sincerely hope the Vietnam GP is a success and around for a long time. 
​    Question is, can F1 accommodate both history and tradition at older established circuits whilst promoting itself at new venues? Conversely, are the new venues capable of creating traditions of their own by continuing lengthy tenures? 

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