SUPERCARS could have a 14-round calendar next season if RACE chairman Barclay Nettlefold gets his way.
The paddock was abuzz at Albert Park with discussion about the future.
It’s understood that Nettlefold met with drivers and team personnel last week, where he spruiked his vision.
Among key takeouts was a target to increase the schedule to 14 rounds, and the exploration of two new street circuit opportunities.
While still at an early stage, it is a clear indication of the direction Supercars’ ownership wants to take in 2025.
News that this year’s calendar would remain at 12 events was met with widespread discontent.
There have not been more than 13 rounds in a season since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, and despite intentions to grow the schedule, that has yet to happen.
By contrast, 15 events were held in 2019.
One apparent certainty for next year is that The Bend will return, and as an enduro.
Cessnock has put itself forward as a candidate for a new street race, the Wine Country 500, while there’s believed to have been some initial talks about another street circuit site outside of New South Wales.
In any case, Bathurst is highly unlikely to host the season-opener again; an event under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park could be a logical replacement.
Sandown is a year-by-year proposition, while Supercars is due to engage in talks with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation about its future at Albert Park – which seems bright after an action-packed weekend.
Speculation has indicated the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix could move to an early March fixture for 2025.
Negotiations are also in the pipeline for a fresh deal between Supercars and the Queensland government for the Townsville and Gold Coast rounds.
F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali meanwhile has teased that Supercars could soon feature at Asian-based grands prix, too.
