Multiple circuit organisers are fighting for a place on the F1 calendar. As previously revealed by LWOS, these tracks include Turkey’s Istanbul Park, Portugal’s Portimao and Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona.

Critically, though, other venues are entering the race. With next year’s calendar already finalised, the first available slots are for the 2027 season.

Consistent with reports from earlier this year, Portimao will return to F1 – signing a contract to host races in 2027 and 2028. However, there will be more movement in this space.

Max Verstappen leads a line of cars during the F1 Grand Prix of Portugal. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Portugal returns to calendar for first time since 2021

At the very height of 2020’s uncertainty, Portugal was one of the venues that helped string together a 17-race calendar.

Portimao served as a solid substitute to compensate for the circuits unable to host. However, after the 2021 season concluded, the Iberian venue lost its place.

Generally speaking, Portugal was positively received from fans and drivers alike. With a unique circuit layout and memorable corners, the Algarve is one of the more popular venues currently outside of the calendar.

Of course, since its inclusion in the F1 schedule came as a surprise in 2020, its contract was only a short-term one.

With that said, circuit organisers have worked in the years since to secure a return. They have been successful in this endeavour, with Portimao confirmed to be on the calendar for 2027 and 2028.

The Portuguese venue will replace Zandvoort, which hosts its final F1 Grand Prix next year. At a time when many of the newest calendar additions are at street circuits, the incorporation of a more traditional layout is welcome news.

Sebastian Vettel leads Daniel Ricciardo in Portimao.
Other potential tweaks to the schedule

Of course, Portimao is one of many locations working to secure a calendar spot. In the context of F1’s growth, competition is ever-increasing to become one of the sport’s 24 annual destinations.

As previously mentioned, Zandvoort loses its place in Formula 1 after next year. With Portimao confirmed as its replacement, there are a few other slots being contested for the coming years.

Barcelona is one of the venues at risk of losing its place, with Madrid’s multi-year contract suggesting the Catalunya circuit is unlikely to feature on the calendar in 2026.

Then again, it is still possible that Barcelona features on a semi-permanent basis. This would mean it could feature bi-annually, rotating with another location that doesn’t have a fixed slot.

Belgium’s Spa, for example, will host races in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031. However, it will be absent in 2028 and 2030. Under the right conditions, the Spanish circuit could fill in the gaps during these years.

Still, it should be noted that other stakeholders are working to earn their place. Turkey’s Istanbul Park has been in negotiations with FOM (Formula One Management) since at least the beginning of 2025.

Istanbul is seen as one of the most realistic options to join the schedule in 2027 and beyond.

Other locations to closely watch include Thailand’s Bangkok street circuit, Germany’s Hockenheim and Malaysia’s Sepang.

All these venues are contenders to join the F1 calendar when the contracts of existing circuits expire. Of course, financial considerations could become limiting factors in these bids to enter the schedule.

Hockenheim and Sepang are the two venues in greatest need of a monetary boost. Istanbul and Bangkok, meanwhile, are less likely to see financial resources become a major obstacle in negotiations.

Regardless, these are some of the locations to watch as the calendar takes shape over the coming years.

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Main photo: Zak Mauger / LAT Images (Haas F1 Team Media Gallery)