Formula 1 is hurtling into a future where tradition and legacy might no longer be enough to secure a spot on the calendar. The sport’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, recently dropped a bombshell: Italy’s double-header of Grand Prix races—Imola and Monza—could soon be downsized or even dropped. The reason? F1’s insatiable appetite for global expansion.

With the likes of Thailand and Rwanda making strong pitches for a Grand Prix of their own, the competition for calendar real estate is fierce. But this isn’t just a scheduling issue—it’s a seismic identity crisis for a sport that was once grounded in its European roots. Domenicali, an Imola native himself, finds himself caught in a storm of conflicting interests: grow the sport into new territories or protect the hallowed grounds that defined its past?

During a recent press conference, Domenicali got real. Yes, the passion in Monza is unmatched. Yes, Italy has a sacred place in F1’s heart. But, no—passion alone can’t justify keeping two races in one country when nations like Rwanda are offering financial packages and visionary urban track designs that Italy simply can’t match.

Let’s rewind. Imola was resurrected in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis, when many circuits were off-limits. Italy stepped up and delivered not one but two Grand Prix events—symbolizing resilience and heritage. Now, that same Imola is on the chopping block, a casualty of the very global push it helped sustain.

Meanwhile, countries in Africa and Southeast Asia are knocking on F1’s door with growing intensity. Rwanda, under President Paul Kagame, isn’t just flirting with the sport—it’s aggressively courting it. Kagame wants not just a race, but a motorsport ecosystem that will uplift Rwanda’s global profile. Lewis Hamilton is all-in on the African dream too, calling it a moral and cultural necessity.

Thailand is another rising star. With Alex Albon gaining momentum and his Drive to Survive fame adding fuel to the fire, the Thai government—led by Prime Minister Shinawatra—is making bold moves to bring F1 to Bangkok. Despite political turbulence, discussions are serious, and Domenicali has already signaled strong interest.

But here’s the rub: the calendar is full—24 races and counting. Adding new venues means axing old ones. And no, even legends like Monza and Imola are not immune. Even Barcelona is now at risk as Madrid muscles its way into the Spanish F1 scene, and Zandvoort has already pulled itself from the running despite its Max Verstappen-fueled renaissance.

Veteran voices are sounding alarms. Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have criticized the increasing reliance on tight, high-risk street circuits. These concrete jungles offer little room for error and don’t always suit today’s bulky F1 cars. While newer, narrower cars might improve things in 2026, there’s no guarantee they’ll suit downtown racing better.

There’s also a human cost. George Russell has pointed out the toll the bloated calendar takes on not just drivers, but mechanics, engineers, and crew members—people who are rarely in the spotlight but are essential to the F1 machine. Add in triple-header weekends across different continents and you have a logistical and ethical nightmare, not to mention a sustainability issue that contradicts F1’s supposed green goals.

So where does all this leave Italy—and F1 itself?

Imola’s contract expires in 2025. Monza is secure through 2031, but even long-term deals aren’t ironclad when new hosts are flashing bigger checks. Hamilton’s recent move to Ferrari adds a layer of irony: if a Ferrari-favorite venue like Imola gets dropped to make way for Hamilton’s beloved African Grand Prix, it could ignite some serious controversy.

Ultimately, the big question isn’t just whether Imola or Monza stays—it’s whether Formula 1 can grow without losing its soul. As the sport chases money, markets, and media glitz, it risks alienating the fans and traditions that made it what it is. In the race between legacy and progress, the checkered flag is still up for grabs.