Zak Brown Proposes 20 Permanent Rounds With 8 Rotating Races to Ease F1's Brutal Schedule

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown wants Formula 1 to adopt a new calendar structure: 20 permanent rounds with an additional eight events in rotation to balance expansion into new markets against an already "pretty brutal schedule" for teams and staff.

Why it matters:

F1's calendar has ballooned to 24 races under the current Concorde Agreement, which permits up to 25 rounds. But the sport faces increasing pressure from countries like South Africa, Thailand, and South Korea seeking a slot. Brown's proposal offers a way to grow into more markets without adding more race weekends — a move that could protect the wellbeing of personnel while unlocking commercial opportunities.

The details:

• Speaking at a pre-Miami Grand Prix event, Brown described the current calendar as "pretty brutal" for drivers, teams, and workers.
• His idea: lock in 20 permanent grands prix, then create a pool of 8 events that rotate every other year. This would expand F1's reach to 28 markets while keeping the actual number of race weekends at 24.
• Current rotation precedent: Spa-Francorchamps and Barcelona will begin alternating from next year. Portugal returns for at least two seasons in 2027, and Turkey will be back for a five-year stint in 2026.
• Brown stressed that expanding further beyond 24 rounds is not viable: "We can't race more than 24 times a year; it's a pretty brutal schedule."

The big picture:

F1's challenge is a positive one — demand is outstripping supply. But the human cost of a lengthened calendar has become a recurring topic among team principals and drivers. Brown's model would allow the championship to keep its growth momentum while maintaining a sustainable workload. The success of rotation schemes for historic circuits like Spa and Barcelona could pave the way for broader adoption.

What's next:

With new Concorde negotiations on the horizon (the current deal runs through 2025), Brown's proposal could gain traction among stakeholders. The decision will ultimately rest with F1 management and the FIA, but as a senior team executive, Brown's voice carries weight. If implemented, the 20+8 model would mark a significant structural change in how the calendar is designed — balancing tradition, new markets, and human endurance.