{"id":134128,"date":"2025-09-13T08:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T08:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/134128\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T08:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T08:15:10","slug":"which-grand-prix-could-make-their-debut-or-return-to-the-formula-1-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/134128\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Grand Prix could make their debut… or return to the Formula 1 calendar?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since redemption<\/a> of the Formula 1<\/a> by Liberty Media in 2017, the Monaco Grand Prix stands out as an exception. It remains one of the few European events to have retained its place on the calendar. Upon its arrival, the American group introduced sprint races on Saturdays, added several race weekends throughout the year, and suggested the idea of \u200b\u200balternating Grands Prix. This has led to a total of XNUMX GPs, very close to the maximum threshold of XNUMX set by the Concorde Agreement. With the limit almost reached, interested circuits will have to substitute rounds on the calendar. Competition will be fierce. And few contracts expire in the near future.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ > F1 extends Monaco Grand Prix until 2035<\/a><\/p>\n

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola bid farewell to the tifosi this year. The Dutch Grand Prix will see its final Formula 1 weekend, at least for a while, in August 2026. The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could also bow out next June, unless it becomes a rotating venue. The torch will be taken up by the country’s capital with the inauguration of the Madring in Madrid in September 2026. Starting in 2027, the Belgian Grand Prix will be held on a rotating basis with another, as yet unspecified, circuit.<\/p>\n

That same year, the contract for the Jeddah Corniche circuit (Saudi Arabia) will expire. Those for the Circuit of the Americas in Austin and Baku (Azerbaijan) will have to be renewed… or replaced. The prospect of new circuits making their debut or old ones returning to the calendar therefore remains a real possibility. However, which track has the capacity to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the standards, requirements, and costs that entail?<\/p>\n

Is the return of old classics to the F1 calendar underway?<\/p>\n

Germany, whose last Grand Prix dates back to 2019, has made its mark over its thirty-seven editions since 1970. The Hockenheim circuit could no longer financially support the organization of this expensive event. Max Verstappen<\/a> (Red Bull<\/a>) had won its last edition, rainy, following the accident of Lewis Hamilton<\/a> (Mercedes<\/a>), behind the safety car.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Since Emodrom Group’s acquisition of a stake, Jorn Teske, the new managing director of the Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg track, has reaffirmed his interest in returning to the calendar. Some \u20ac260 million is expected to be invested in the venue’s infrastructure over the next five to ten years. However, the German candidate will struggle to compete with countries willing to invest heavily in tourism promotion and development, supported by government subsidies.<\/p>\n

“With the arrival of private investors and the establishment of new structures, we will certainly have different opportunities than in previous years, However, the circuit director rejoiced to the German press agency dpa. LThe top priority will remain to organize the Formula 1 Grand Prix in a financially viable manner ” assured Jorn Teske. A rotation model, already considered by the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, could constitute a solution for the German circuit.<\/p>\n

In Europe, Portugal also has ambitions to return to the Formula 1 calendar. The Portim\u00e3o circuit was the venue for Niki Lauda’s third and final title in 1984. It also saw Alain Prost<\/a> winning his fourth title in 1993 and Ayrton Senna winning his first in 1985. It has hosted Formula 1 thirteen times, including in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 crisis. Lewis Hamilton won the last edition in 2021 at the wheel of his Mercedes. Lu\u00eds Montenegro, the Portuguese Prime Minister, stated in August 2025 that everything was ” ready to formalize the return of Formula 1 to the Algarve in 2027 ” during a speech given in the Algarve. Already host of the MotoGP<\/a> In 2025 and 2026, the circuit is fully equipped to host major events. It already has the grade one certification required by the FIA.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ > Portugal wants to bring F1 back to Portim\u00e3o in 2027<\/a><\/p>\n

Further south, Turkey hopes to regain a place on the Formula 1 scene. The Istanbul Park circuit, which temporarily hosted Grand Prix races during the coronavirus pandemic, is aiming to establish itself there permanently. Turkey also benefits from a geographical advantage. Its proximity to Baku, if the latter remains on the calendar after 2027, reduces the environmental impact of travel. Furthermore, its central location makes it an ideal link between Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n

Will Formula 1 return to the African continent?<\/p>\n

Africa is the only inhabited continent that doesn’t host a Formula 1 Grand Prix… yet. Among the candidate countries, one in particular stands out: South Africa. The country’s bid benefits from a major asset: the support of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. We cannot add races in other places and continue to ignore Africa ” hammered the Briton at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix. Two options present themselves. The Green Point sports tourist zone, already host to the Formula E<\/a> in 2023, in Cape Town, or, preferred, the Kyalami circuit north of Johannesburg. The last of the twenty-one South African Grand Prix was held there in 1993. It saw the victory of Frenchman Alain Prost, then driving a Williams<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Certified grade two, Kyalami requires significant investment to reach the level necessary to host an F1 Grand Prix. British firm Apex Circuit Design has drawn up a renovation plan. It’s worth noting that this is the same company that designed the Miami circuit. The FIA \u200b\u200bapproved this plan in June 2025. Funded solely by the private sector, these renovations, presented as minor, must be completed within three years.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ > Sheldon van der Linde (BMW): “South Africa deserves to have a GP again”<\/a><\/p>\n

Note however that ” The selected works will be implemented subject to South Africa being retained in the F1 calendar and Kyalami being chosen as the preferred host site. ” South African Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni explained in September 2025 that the objective was to welcome single-seaters from 2027. ” If successful, [the application] will contribute to job creation and economic development\u00a0” she noted confidently. If the project materialized, the initial agreement would initially be concluded for three years.<\/p>\n

Another candidate on the African continent, Rwanda, remains a relatively undeveloped project. The only notable progress to date is the announcement, at the end of 2024, by President Paul Kagame regarding his country’s upcoming candidacy. At the general assembly of the International Motor Sport Federation (FIA) in Kigali, Mr. Kagame proudly declared: ” I am pleased to officially announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of motor racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix. \u00bb.<\/p>\n

Although Stefano Domenicali confirmed the seriousness of the bid, no concrete progress has been made. Morocco has also expressed interest. The former director of the Paul Ricard circuit, Eric Boullier, is behind the project. The project envisages the construction of a circuit, a theme park, a shopping center, hotels, and a marina a few kilometers from Tangier. It could be completed in three years, if the project is approved by the FIA.<\/p>\n

More new circuits are set to make their debut in Formula 1<\/p>\n

On another continent, the prospect of a Thai Grand Prix in 2028 is becoming clearer. Support from the local driver Alexander albon<\/a> and the commitment of funds of up to $1,3 billion constitute strong arguments in favor of the project. The government fully supports this initiative\u00a0” said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub after a meeting of the Council of Ministers in June 2025. After Stefano Domenicali’s meeting in March 2025 with the Thai Prime Minister, Alexander Albon said for his part ” very enthusiastic \u00bb to the idea of \u200b\u200brunning a Grand Prix in his home country. He reminded beIN SPORTS Asia of the investment and support provided by the country. In March 2025, the Sports Authority of Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding with F1, formalizing the initial foundations of the project. Another country in the region, Malaysia, which was once interested, ultimately decided not to return to the calendar after the government withdrew its support.<\/p>\n

The question remains: will the drivers and their influence or state funding and support determine the future of the candidate circuits?<\/p>\n

ALSO READ > Why did Malaysia abandon plans to bring Formula 1 back to Sepang?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Since redemption of the Formula 1 by Liberty Media in 2017, the Monaco Grand Prix stands out as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":134129,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[1687,372,6537,8622,62858,62859,62860,54683,39740,101,62861,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-134128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-f1","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-hockenheim","tag-istanbul-park","tag-kyalami","tag-portimao","tag-rwanda","tag-sepang","tag-sports","tag-thailande","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134128\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}