As Components 1 expands into newer markets, Max Verstappen has drawn a line between the heritage circuits that outline the game and the flashy additions that proceed to emerge. The reigning world champion advocated for a choose group of venues that ought to maintain a everlasting spot on the F1 calendar.
Chatting with Formule1 Journal forward of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen identified six tracks that ought to stay a fixture, no matter international industrial shifts:
“Circuits that, in my view, deserve a separate standing and at all times belong on the calendar, purely on sporting grounds, are Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort, Silverstone, Imola, Suzuka and Brazil.”
Most of those old-school tracks have slim width and restricted runoff area, with flowing sequences that prioritize driver ability over aerodynamics.
Max Verstappen additionally steered that immediately’s overcrowded calendar is pushing amount over high quality. He added:
“If it have been as much as me, the calendar would look very completely different and now have fewer races.”
In distinction, fashionable additions because the 2000s, like Jeddah or Yas Marina, observe a extra uniform template. They normally have wider asphalt run‑offs with low‑pace sequences, tight chicanes, and are DRS‑heavy.
Max’s energy lies in his shared DNA with the tracks on his ‘listing’, which assessments each machine and man. Nonetheless, F1 has diverse contracts for these tracks. Spa-Francorchamps will function on a rotation with different European venues, skipping 2028 and 2030 till 2031. Suzuka can be locked till 2029 and stays an important cease given Honda’s affect and the problem of its figure-eight format.
Interlagos, with its elevation adjustments and Senna legacy, additionally holds a deal by means of 2030. In the meantime, F1 has its longest dedication with Silverstone, the birthplace of the World Championship, which is able to maintain a race till 2034. However others are in a extra precarious spot.
Zandvoort, Verstappen’s residence GP, is scheduled for its final race in 2026 until new negotiations succeed. Imola, having returned throughout the pandemic, will see its deal run out this yr with no extension introduced as of but. Regardless of the emotional weight and racing purity these tracks carry, they’re competing for calendar area in opposition to high-paying venues in Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Penalty stress mounts as Max Verstappen seems to be to Austria for redemption
Max Verstappen returns to one in all his most profitable searching grounds for the eleventh race of the 2025 Components 1 season. The Austrian Grand Prix is a 71-lap race held over the 4.318 km Spielberg circuit. He has gained a report 4 occasions right here within the final seven editions and is chasing important factors this weekend.
Verstappen at the moment trails the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri (198) and Lando Norris (176) at third with 155 factors. However there’s disciplinary stress, too. Verstappen is driving with 9 penalty factors on his FIA tremendous licence, one away from a race suspension. That shadow has loomed since Monaco, however the stakes drop barely after Sunday.
The 2 factors he earned throughout a collision with Norris at this very race final yr will expire after June 30, providing some respiration area beginning Monday. Nonetheless, one misstep in Austria might imply Verstappen will get grounded for Silverstone. A clear consequence on the Pink Bull Ring, each competitively and disciplinary, might assist the Dutchman reset his marketing campaign.
The Pink Bull Ring is a dash by means of alpine surroundings and overtaking zones. The monitor options three DRS zones, a deceptively difficult Flip 1-3 uphill sequence, and high-speed corners like Turns 6 and 9 the place driver dedication makes all of the distinction. Within the hybrid period, the monitor has emerged as one in all Verstappen’s private strongholds, and he’ll want each little bit of that edge.
Max Verstappen will even be straightforward to identify this weekend resulting from his new particular version Orange Lion helmet, designed for the Austria-Belgium-Zandvoort stretch.
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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar
