Following the news that Rwanda are set to meet with F1 bosses next month in September to discuss a grand prix bid, which tracks should join the calendar?
It has been widely reported that Formula 1 chiefs have scheduled talks with representatives of Rwanda. These will take place in September and will discuss the possibilities of a future grand prix held in Africa.
Despite 24 races in 2024, F1 is eying future calendar expansion to facilitate the sport’s interest around the world. While it is believed that countless countries in Africa have expressed a desire to host races, Rwanda’s plans are advanced.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said:
“They are serious. They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.”
After hitting their target of an expansion throughout the United States, the sport is looking elsewhere around the world. Miami and Las Vegas have been recent additions thanks to the success of the sport in areas it had previously not been as popular in.
“With 24 races, I see that there’s a number that will be stable, and we can really tune the ones that we are discussing to see what will be the future in the middle term.
I don’t see big changes coming in the short term, but in the next couple of months we need to discuss what will be ’26, ’27 and ’28. We have different options but we are in a good place.” – Stefano Domenicali.
Will Other Circuits Join the F1 Calendar?
No new circuits will join the F1 calendar in 2025. Each track visited during the 2024 season has a repeat performance to deliver in 2025 under contract. The 2025 season calendar is also capped at 24 rounds.
🥁 Presenting… the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar!#F1 pic.twitter.com/qrBB52ncRd
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 12, 2024
However, it is likely that when the new commercial agreement is signed, the number of rounds will increase from 24 to 25. That means there is room for at least one more track to join. There is also room for circuit contracts to not be renewed also, which will, in turn, be replaced by others.
Domenicali has suggested that some European rounds will be held biennially, alternating with one another. It has been rumoured that the Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix will be the first to alternate from 2026. There is also the possibility that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be replaced by a new track in Madrid by 2026.
Which F1 Tracks Should be Considered?
This is a subject that both divides and unites F1 fans. There are plenty of circuits that could be new additions while others could see a comeback to the calendar after an absence.
Istanbul Park, Turkey
The Turkish Grand Prix made a return to the F1 calendar during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It returned again in 2021 following the cancellation of the Singapore Grand Prix. This race weekend was the first open to the public at the track since 2011 and had an attendance of 190,000.
It is a popular track with fans, particularly those of Lewis Hamilton. The Briton won his record-equalling seventh world championship at the track in 2020.
Now it is understood that Turkey is keen for a return. In March 2024, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a meeting. The return of both the World Rally Championship and F1 was discussed. While we are not aware of the outcome, it is implied that the want for a return is a result of Intercity’s leasehold of the track expiring. The tender has demanded that the new owners secure the circuit a slot on the F1 calendar from 2026.
Kyalami, South Africa
The last event in South Africa was held over 30 years ago in 1993. Since then, a potential return has kept die-hard motorsport fans excited. Kyalami in particular is a fan favourite. The track looked set to return to the calendar in 2023, until a deal to bring the race back fell through in August 2022.
Autosport have previously revealed that F1 paused plans to revive the event in 2024, but were keen for talks to be held for the 2025 calendar. While we have direct confirmation that this will not be visited next year, it has led many to wonder whether this will make a return from 2026 onwards.
Qiddiya Speed Park, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Corniche Circuit joined the F1 calendar to host the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. It was intended to be a temporary venue. A new track near Qiddiya’s Six Flags theme park has been under construction since 2019. The 21-turn track is designed by Hermann Tilke’s company. It also has input from former driver, Alexander Wurz. The layout is expected to have undulation, including a 20-storey high first turn. The track is also expected to exceed Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps as the longest track on the F1 calendar.
However, with construction work ongoing, the track is not expected to be ready until 2028 at the earliest. The Saudi Arabian GP will remain at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit until at least 2027. Following that, it is possible that we will have a new circuit to visit each year. It is also possible that the circuits could alternate every other year.
Barranquilla, Colombia
Domenicali visited Barranquilla in late 2022 to scope out track locations for a potential Caribbean Grand Prix. There is an argument to be had that when adding tracks that have previously not been a part of the sport before, they should be in locations we have not visited either. Queue Colombia.
According to former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, there is a possibility that the circuit could join the calendar by 2028. It is believed that the layout of the track has already been decided.
Gujarat, India
The Indian Grand Prix has previously been on the calendar between 2011 to 2013. The three-season stint at the Buddh International Circuit came to an end due to financial and bureaucratic issues within the country. It was also difficult to reach for tourists and locals alike but F1 should not let this stop them should they deem a return worthy.
It was reported at the beginning of the year that the government of Gujarat was aiming to bring the sport back to their state. They had supposedly invited proposals to find a suitable location for their new track. This was to take place within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, to ensure an accessible area.
MotoGP has since visited the circuit, which has retained its FIA Grade 1 status, in 2023. Who is to say F1 cannot do the same?
Conclusion
With plenty on the line for the 2026 F1 calendar and onwards, nothing is set in stone as to which F1 track could be added to the sport or which could be retired. The FIA might opt for the choices above or even go for Grands Prix in London, Chicago, or New York – three cities that have been discussed on and offline.
What does remain clear is that the sport is looking to further diversify the areas it visits each year.
