Todt open to expanding F1 calendar with Argentina, Vietnam races

FIA President Jean Todt says he’s be happy to see the Formula 1 race calendar expand from its current 21-round schedule and supports the reports of adding races in Argentina and Vietnam.

F1 commercial rights holders Liberty Media are eager to extend the current race calendar to a potential 25 rounds in the future having seen the 2018 schedule bolster to 21 races with the return of the French and German Grand Prix despite losing the Malaysia race.

Reports have emerged linking F1 to a new race in Vietnam, a city street race in Ho Chi Minh City, while a potential return to Argentina for the first time since 1998 has also been speculated.

When quizzed on the prospect of increasing the F1 race calendar, Todt supports the idea with particular backing to the return of the Argentine Grand Prix given the sport’s history and reach in the region.

“We hear about some potential new race in Argentina, I would love to see a race in Argentina, as the country is very special in motorsport with Fangio and Reutemann they are heroes of motor racing in Argentina,” Todt said. “In Latin America Argentina is one of the best countries to host a Formula 1 race.

“Vietnam, I would be happy to have a new race in Asia, it is a developing country and to bring Formula 1 to developing countries would be very good. If we can put it all together than why not?”

Along with the mooted Argentina and Vietnam races, a new race in Miami has also be reported – potentially joining the F1 calendar as early as 2019 – and while Todt is encouraged by new races having been content with the 2018 F1 race calendar expansion.

“At the moment we have 21 races and for many years we’ve had 19 to 20 races, then again at the moment there is speculation [for more],” he said. “For me the good thing is not speculation it is that we have the French Grand Prix which is back and we have the German Grand Prix which is back. The calendar looks very good.”