Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has insisted that the history of the Monza circuit will no longer be enough to keep it on the calendar beyond 2024.
Monza is one of the oldest circuits on the calendar, and has been part of the world championship since its inception in 1950.
Domenicali led Ferrari from 2008 to 2014, experiencing the immense pressure of trying to win the race with the Scuderia.
In the seven attempts, the Italian oversaw one win there through Fernando Alonso in 2010, in front of thousands of Ferrari fans that had flocked to the event.
READ: ‘That’s how I grew up’: Max Verstappen shares unpopular opinion on sprint races
Every year, red flares and Ferrari flags can be seen effervescently in the grandstands when the circus rolls into the track just north of Milan.
The sights and sounds are unique in the pinnacle of motorsport – only events like Silverstone, Zandvoort and Mexico City seem to have possessed a similar energy over the years.
But Monza is out of contract in 2024, along with Silverstone, with no guarantee of it being renewed.
Silverstone’s boss, Stuart Pringle, has been trying to negotiate a new contract but, with competition so stiff, some fan favourites might inevitably have to miss out in the coming years.
New tracks like Miami have attracted a new global fanbase, and Vegas is sure to do the same next year, so the founders of the world championship no longer have a guaranteed place.
“F1 is now a party everywhere we go, there is a queue to host a grand prix,” Domenicali told Sky Italy.
“History is no longer enough for this and an organisation like Monza will have to raise the bar to stay in the world championship.”
The landscape has undoubtedly changed in recent years, and fan experiences now look a little different to before.
Domenicali feels that Monza needs new infrastructure for the fans if it is to remain a long-term fixture.
“Monza is part of F1 history, but that does not mean that it will always be part of it,” he warned.
READ: Breaking: Stefano Domenicali announces Belgian Grand Prix will be on 2023 calendar
“The circuit needs investments, because Formula 1 is a different experience now, the competitive push to have races means that everyone has to raise the bar.”
As for whether there will be any leniency from F1 as to its capacity to host more races, the Italian reiterated, “we will not go beyond 24 races in the world championship.”
This weekend’s Italian Grand Prix will be the 72nd in championship history, and Ferrari are set to run a yellow theme to celebrate 75 years of grand prix racing.