F1 News: Former Champion Urges Formula One To Retain Traditional Circuits In Calendar Expansion

Mario Andretti advocates for the preservation of historic F1 circuits like Silverstone amidst the sport's global expansion.

May 17, 2023; Speedway, Indiana, USA; Mario Andretti shares a moment with a fan during Indy500 / Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

1978 Formula One world champion Mario Andretti has voiced his opinion on maintaining historical circuits within the sport despite its growing schedule.

Key Takeaways:

• Mario Andretti emphasizes the significance of classic F1 circuits like Silverstone in maintaining the sport’s heritage.
• Andretti believes that while the sport’s expansion is beneficial, it should not come at the cost of losing its traditional venues.
• He praised the efforts of circuits such as Silverstone for their upgrades to meet modern standards.

As Formula One evolves, the tension between introducing new locations and preserving old favourites is increasingly evident. Mario Andretti, who clinched the Formula One World Championship in 1978, recently expressed his concerns about this development trajectory. Speaking with Lydia Mee via Sports Illustrated, Andretti shared his insights on the importance of traditional circuits in the ever-expanding F1 calendar.

"I think to expand the sport is always a positive.

"I think we have to be very careful to keep the traditional circuits that have made Formula One what it is today, and not ever forget that. Many of these traditional circuits like Silverstone have upgraded to the standards that you expect. And again, I'm one of those individuals that value so much where we came from and let's not ever forget that."

Andretti pointed out that many iconic circuits, such as Silverstone, have not only hosted decades of Grand Prix history but have also invested heavily to meet the evolving standards expected by fans and stakeholders alike.

"It's fine to go forward and bring on new things, but never forget where we came from. So in my opinion, nothing will substitute Silverstone at the moment in England. Silverstone, or Brands Hatch, but Silverstone are the ones that actually have invested tremendously to come up to the standards that we need to go with the rest of the world. And I'm happy that this event [Lap of Legends TV Special] is happening right there in Silverstone."

His remarks come at a critical time when Formula One management is actively seeking to expand its global footprint by adding more races in new markets. However, Andretti’s perspective resonates with a significant portion of the F1 community who fear that the unique character of the sport might be diluted if too many new street circuits are added.