Damon Hill regrets seeing F1 go in the same direction as Formula E

Since Liberty Media arrived in 2017, new tracks have joined the premier category of motorsport. While Zandvoort and Losail both have permanent circuits, the majority of the newcomers in Formula 1 are urban tracks like Jeddah, Miami, Las Vegas, and the future Grand Prix of Madrid starting in 2026.

Some historical circuits, like Le Castellet, had only a short tenure under Liberty Media’s mandate, from 2018 to 2022. While others, such as Silverstone and Monza, will soon reach the end of their contracts, and it is not impossible that they may disappear.

In Las Vegas, we had a very annoyed Max Verstappen.

However, this multiplication of urban layouts has received numerous criticisms. Max Verstappen has declared several times that he does not like these circuits. In the Sky F1 podcast, 1996 world champion Damon Hill believes that the sport is opting for tracks of the same type as those in Formula E.

“This kind of development towards a narrower and twistier circuit, it goes in line with Formula E, which has chosen to have its races in city centers and also on very restricted circuits. I hope it is not an indication of a concession made due to the fact that these cars will be less performant than today,” explains Damon Hill.

With the race in Las Vegas, we had a very bored Max Verstappen who talked about the nature of the circuits and the type of circuits he would like to race on. The fact is that Formula 1 must adapt to the new requirements imposed on it from an automotive perspective, as well as to governments that impose environmental issues. It is therefore challenged in this direction, details the 1996 world champion.

But I hope that it will be an exciting circuit, the most important thing is that the race is thrilling and that the cars can race on it, the former Williams driver impatiently says.