Formula 1's proposed race rotation plan may be the key to preserving iconic venues like Imola on a packed calendar, according to McLaren boss Zak Brown.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, a native of the Imola region, recently admitted that it will be "difficult" for the historic Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit to remain on the calendar alongside Italy's other classic track, Monza.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who starts from pole at Imola, believes Formula 1 needs to tread carefully when choosing which venues to drop.
"We need to be careful not to lose all the historical tracks that have been here forever because at least 75 percent of them are the favourites for the drivers," said the Australian.
"Here (Imola) is probably going to disappear, Zandvoort is disappearing, Spa is on a rotation. We do need to be careful to keep all these tracks."
Max Verstappen echoed Piastri's concerns, warning that modern street circuits don't offer the same thrill or challenge.
"On tracks like this, it is a lot of fun," the Dutchman said. "So many fast corners, and the limit is the gravel or the grass. That makes it more exciting and more difficult to nail."
He added that today's F1 cars are "too big, too stiff, too heavy," making tight street circuits "dull" by comparison.
Zak Brown believes the situation is a "luxury problem" for the sport — too many interested venues, but a hard cap on the number of races.
"More than 24 isn't possible for logistical reasons," he told Bild newspaper. "I would like to see a majority of the races have a fixed spot on the calendar.
"To achieve this, some tracks should rotate, hosting a grand prix only every other year. We're well positioned in Europe, and the same goes for America. India, Korea, and South Africa come to mind as possible hosts.
"There could also be a second race in China, and I see great growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region."
Brown also named Germany as a key market that deserves to be back on the calendar, possibly through a rotating model involving Hockenheim.
"Germany is a huge market," he said. "With Mercedes and Audi.
"Perhaps it would be a good idea to hold a grand prix there every two years."
As for Imola, Brown says it would be a real loss to see it go — but rotation could be the answer.
"I love Imola," said the McLaren CEO. "But I also love Monza. If one of them really has to be removed from the calendar, then I'd advocate for the elegant rotation solution here as well. Even if that's certainly easier said than done."
