Toto Wolff Calls New York GP ‘Awesome’ but Limits US F1 to Three Races

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Formula 1 should cap the United States at three races, backing Stefano Domenicali, during remarks at the Autosport Business Exchange in New York.

He calls a prospective New York Grand Prix “awesome” but doubts it will happen soon, citing calendar balance and the need to avoid over-concentration in one market.

The current American rounds are Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, with Chicago and New York floated as possibilities for a fourth race amid continuing commercial interest.

Wolff frames the question as strategic rather than promotional. He argues three US events already deliver market coverage without squeezing dates from other regions central to F1’s footprint.

That stance aligns with Domenicali’s 2024 position, when the F1 boss ruled out a fourth American stop and described the existing trio as the right geographic spread.

Operationally, additional US events would intensify travel and freight complexity while forcing trade-offs elsewhere. The calendar already pushes teams’ resources and personnel welfare close to acceptable limits.

Wolff references Lewis Hamilton’s 5th Avenue demonstration run for a promotional event, noting it strained relations with local authorities, underscoring permitting and logistical hurdles for a New York street race.

From a sporting perspective, a stable US footprint supports audience growth while preserving competitive variety. Track diversity remains a key ingredient of championship integrity and car-performance differentiation.

Mercedes enters 2025 strongly. The team sits second in the constructors’ standings on 325 points, 27 ahead of Ferrari in third, underlining consistent execution through evolving regulations.

As the calendar evolves, Wolff’s preference is measured expansion over saturation. The objective is global reach without diluting heritage events or overloading teams and promoters.

For now, the focus stays on maximising Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, with New York a longer-term ambition rather than an immediate addition to a crowded schedule.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.