The 2026 F1 calendar differs little from this year’s schedule aside from a handful of widely expected or known changes.
But the 2027 F1 calendar is likely to be a different matter. Having dropped some races and moved one other to a rotational basis, F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media now has headroom beneath its upper limit of 24 rounds.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously boasted of dozens of venues seeking to join the calendar. Two of the most recent developments indicate Liberty’s direction of travel.
Miami’s glorified parking lot circuit was F1’s distant second choice for a venue in the ‘destination’ US city. But last month F1 extended its contract by a decade, keeping it on the calendar until Fernando Alonso is in his sixties.
While the disappearance of the Dutch venue from the 2027 schedule is already confirmed, further changes look likely. F1 will not return to Imola next year and its prospects of returning while also holding a race at Monza looks unlikely. Domenicali has recently said demand for F1 races is so high it has become difficult to justify holding multiple races in the same country. It goes without saying this does not apply to F1’s priority market, the USA.
Spain will have two rounds in 2026 but this looks likely to be a one-off. Madrid will take over Spanish Grand Prix next year while the Circuit de Catalunya, which has held the race in each of the last 35 years, will have a valedictory round under some to-be-announced title.
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Other events are yet to ink deals for F1 to return after 2026. However several of these are likely to prove formalities, such as Formula One Management’s showpiece race at Las Vegas and the lucrative visit to Baku. If F1 intends to continue hosting three rounds per year at the United States, it will have to either renew its deal with the Circuit of the Americas or find another venue.
What event could take over the unused Spa slot, which falls in mid-July next year? Taking the series outside Europe would jar with F1’s desire to streamline freight movement between races. But returning to Catalunya or Imola would not only mean having two races in the same country, but making the two visits within a few weeks of each other: the Monza and Madrid rounds are scheduled for September next year.
Ironically, the best option for this slot might have been Zandvoort. However as its promoters pointed out last year when its impending disappearance from the calendar was announced, the financial risks of holding an F1 race are considerable. They are not necessarily improved by only hosting a race in alternate years: the costs may be reduced but so is the income from tickets.
As far as the other two regular slots are concerned, several possible venues have declared an interest in welcoming F1.
Thailand has made the latest in a series of attempts to join the calendar. Its previous efforts to welcome F1 ran into political problems, beginning with its plan for a race in Bangkok 10 years ago. A fresh attempt to arrange a Thai Grand Prix hit a snag last year: prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who met Domenicali to discuss the project, was forced out after Thailand’s constitutional court found he broke ethical rules.
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However after meeting Thavisin’s replacement Paetongtarn Shinawatra earlier this year, Domenicali made favourable noises about their “impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok.” Shinawatra attended the Monaco Grand Prix last month and met Thai-licensed racer Alexander Albon at the Williams garage.
Then there is Saudi Arabia’s money-no-object Qiddiya project. Will its extravagant track take over the slot held by Jeddah, as originally planned, or are they looking to bookend the championship? The regime’s budget for ‘sportswashing’ is seemingly unlimited and would surely be sufficient to ease any qualms F1 has about holding more than one race in the same country.
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted Liberty Media’s plans to increase F1’s revenues by expanding the calendar and adding more valuable races. Now it is back on track (no pun intended) with a full roster of two dozen races. The scarcity value of its slots is increasing: More than half of them are booked up into the 2030s. At a time when interest in F1 is soaring those who want a piece of the action will have to pay top dollar.
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Yes (@come-on-kubica)
12th June 2025, 8:12
None of this sounds particularly encouraging or interesting. There’s a few European venues that need to be back and not having a round in France and Germany is insane (especially with 2 in Spain and 3 in USA and 4 in the Arab states).
I think we the limit is starting to hit with f1 and not sure if this is the breaking point for it’s maximum earnings potential.
albo94
12th June 2025, 9:38
France has the Monaco GP
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
12th June 2025, 9:58
I think it is fair to argue Monaco has the Monaco GP.
albo94
12th June 2025, 10:06
ahaha.
My point is still valid. Geographically, Monaco is in France.
David (@nvherman)
12th June 2025, 10:11
Politically, it isn’t though. Ask Charles Leclerc if he is from Monaco or France and see what his answer tells you
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
12th June 2025, 10:18
I don’t think you understand sovereign borders – Monaco is country in it’s own right. Have a look at Charles LeClerc nationality.
Mr A
12th June 2025, 10:29
Geographically, Monaco is in Monaco.
It is not in France.
Regarding the original comment from Yes, for fairness also, the “Arab States” cannot be classed as one entity. We don’t do that for Europe so we cannot do it for Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi.
anon
12th June 2025, 22:47
Mr A, whilst Monaco is recognised as a sovereign state, the relationship between Monaco and France is rather more complex.
Whilst Monaco is recognised as independent from France and can exercise it’s sovereign rights, the treaties that Monaco has signed with France mean that Monaco is expected “to exercise its sovereign rights in conformity with French interests”, in return for France providing diplomatic and military protection of Monaco.
France is responsible for selecting the Minister of State, who is the highest ranking official in Monaco’s government and, until 2002, they had to be a French citizen (in 2002, that particular treaty between Monaco and France was modified to allow France to choose either Monegasque or French citizens). It’s also worth noting that, until 2002, France did also have control over the line of succession of the House of Grimaldi and, if no legitimate heir could be agreed upon, Monaco would have become a French protectorate at that point (although the 2002 treaty has now returned control of defining the line of succession back to Monaco).
Additionally, Monaco’s legal statutes are largely derived from French law and it does also allow French citizens to become part of the Monegasque judiciary (up to, and including, the Monegasque Supreme Court).
Overall, it could be said that Monaco is a sovereign state, but one that does have a dependency on the French state.
David, whilst it is true that Charles would say he was from Monaco, he is, strictly speaking, eligible to become a French national due to his parentage.
PacificPR (@streydt)
12th June 2025, 10:28
Not having a race in Germany is really mind boggling – especially with Audi joining next year (if they do..)! Of course the Nurburgring would be on top of the list – but if Liberty wants a spectacle they should have a look at the Norisring ;-)
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th June 2025, 11:38
Nürburgring(lette) is rubbish and if you mean the original Green Hell its totally unsuitable for F1 cars even if they could get the safety arrangements all the way round its 13 mile track. F1 cars would probably beach at Carousel but i agree not having a race in Germany is bonkers but to a degree thats what happens when you butcher circuits
Coventry Climax
12th June 2025, 12:04
I prefer Nurburgring over Hockenheim a millionfold, green hell or not.
PacificPR (@streydt)
12th June 2025, 13:38
Well not the original ‘Green Hell’ – but the ‘new’ Nürburgring has brought us some spectacular races, it’s a much nicer track than all the recent additions..
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th June 2025, 16:00
I think you are confusing Nürburgring with the mickey mouse circuit that takes its name but little else. The old Hockenheim was a blast thru the forest and the partying in the wooded section is much missed. The circuit is now just an infield
Jere (@jerejj)
12th June 2025, 8:36
I thought Spa-Francorchamps was supposed to first be absent in 2027, although as I understood, the point is holding the Belgian GP in at least four seasons until 2013, regardless of which seasons specifically.
Both Thailand & Qiddiya (more likely alongside rather than replacing Jeddah) are likely to have their respective inaugural events in 2028 as per the current/most recent timeline estimation, while South Africa & Rwanda’s possible timelines are unclear, so whether either would be ready in time for the 2027 season isn’t necessarily a guarantee.
Btw, Spa-Francorchamps’ absence wouldn’t even need to be directly filled in the same season phase, but simply arrange some other current July events a bit differently, nor would a non-European location get placed there anyway, also due to climatic aspects.
Regarding Montmelo & Imola, specifically, depending on how soon some of these relatively lucrative locations could join the championship, perhaps even both might have a chance to hold a GP in 2027, but more likely only one of them if either, albeit the ”within a few weeks of each other” aspect would be irrelevant, especially with the summer break breaking them up, not to mention the Dutch & Belgian GPs took place on consecutive weekends before the latter was moved to the pre-summer break European leg phase to avoid a triple-header post-summer break with full attendances for both.
Simon
12th June 2025, 22:35
Oh dear…
“holding the Belgian GP in at least four seasons until 2013”. That’s over a decade ago!
Remember this? That you – yourself – posted? To the article that clearly stated “The new deal means the Belgian Grand Prix will be held in four of the six seasons after this year. F1 will visit Spa in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031”?
Jere (@jerejj)
8th January 2025, 10:33
“On the other hand, Spa-Francorchamps starting the bi-annual scheme only after the 2027 season rather than any sooner is weird”
Operative word is after…
Femke
12th June 2025, 8:44
When commercial interest is wqy more important than the aport, you are going downhill as the pinacle of motorsport. F1 lost its crown
Mark
12th June 2025, 9:05
F1 is going for the money grab. The obvious solution is to not have 3 races in the US, or if they do, rotate them.
COA is the only decent race, the other two are fluff.
AndrewT (@andrewt)
12th June 2025, 11:50
I have nothing against 3 events in the US, if they are in Austin, Daytona and Indianapolis for example, the last two on GP-compatible layouts obviously.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
12th June 2025, 9:52
Spa look magisterial in that top pic, something newer circuits singularly fail to recreate. They could spend some Red Bull money on elongating the Ring back to its former glory and un-chopping Hockenheim but we have so many races now im ok with new ones coming on tbh. Whining about the increasing impact of the USA or UAE is missing the point, F1 follows the money MOTORSPORT in general follows the money. Sad but as true now as it was 40 years ago.
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
12th June 2025, 10:00
Of course it is important to race on brilliant tracks, such as Spa. If we keep Spa thanks to doing biannual races, I’m all for it.
But it is even more important to race where the fans are. They are mainly European-based, with a large Asian and American following too. If anything, adding a race in Argentina or returning to Malaysia would make perfect sense. Adding yet another in the Arabian peninsula makes far less sense, but I am certain Kuwait will come knocking in a few years too…
An Sionnach
12th June 2025, 11:39
I’m surprised that the teams haven’t been more vocal about the races that are included in the calendar, especially given the otherwise total competition nature of F1. Seeing how a driver like Verstappen fares at tracks like Suzuka, Imola and Spa, and stands no chance against modern DRS champions at less interesting tracks, there should be a big incentive for the technically superior team to kick the challenging circuits to touch. Perhaps the concern here is that they may lose technical advantage and end up with a decent driver instead?
In all the Monaco discussion, I’ve changed my mind a little about the circuit. Yes, the race isn’t interesting (and it was difficult to overtake there even in the 1950s), but I found it interesting to see that Piastri struggled a little and some other drivers did a lot more poorly than usual. Like others have said, it is a unique challenge that favours a special type of driver, like Senna. Even for Senna, the race wasn’t unimportant, as you’ve got to bring it home without binning it.
MichaelN
12th June 2025, 11:46
A more global presence is good. More races in South America, Africa, and South East Asia makes total sense.
Not having a race in Germany or France isn’t a huge issue as there are excellent races nearby. Tracks are more important than flags.
That said, I in no way feel obliged to follow all the races. The races in the USA are all skipable as they seem incapable of building an exciting and original track. Same goes for most of the races in the Middle East, with the exception of Bahrain.
F1 will chase money, and then it’s up to viewers to decide if they want to invest time and money in watching those venues. On the plus side, Youtube highlights are free wherever they race.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
12th June 2025, 12:17
According to Joe Saward the most likely country in Africa to get a race is currently Morocco.
There is a planned $1.2 billion development (where there is already a Hilton and more) on the coast south of Tangier. An F1 circuit has been pencilled in and the project is being led by Eric Boullier.
It could all come to nothing of course…
Mal Ross (@malross)
12th June 2025, 13:17
I’ve pretty much given up on Kyalami returning to the calendar. Same goes for Sepang and even Istanbul Park, but I’d love to see any of them return.
Elsewhere, I’d hate to see COTA lose its place; the extended sequence of corners after the long back straight sees more exciting jockeying for positions and side-by-side action than in the entirety of many tracks. Damn shame Miami got that ridiculous contract extension; I’d love to swap it for any of Laguna Seca, Mid Ohio, Road America or Watkins Glen (upgrades permitting).
Leksa (@leksa)
12th June 2025, 14:14
I forbid them for adding any new street circuits, night races and countries that are non-democractic. I will also order them to add Hockenheim, Mugello and Magny-Cours. They shan’t violate my will.
MichaelN
12th June 2025, 15:16
I always liked Magny-Cours. Sure, it’s a bit flat and not exactly in a glamorous location, but it had a good flow, genuine overtaking spots and high-speed corners that are sadly lacking on most modern tracks.
Coventry Climax
12th June 2025, 21:47
As a track, I didn’t dislike Magny-Cours either.
As far as I’m concerned, if they change just these 2 or 3 things, it’s a great track again:
1) The hideous paint on the tarmac.
2) The accessibility and hospitality situation
3) The downright ridiculous plastic monkey trophys
Alonslow
12th June 2025, 22:13
I think you are talking about Paul Ricard, that’s the one with the hideous paint and the monkey trophies.
Simon
12th June 2025, 22:43
I liked Magny-Cours too and went to the race weekends there in 95 & 96. Really good views from the general admission banking from Estoril to Golf, I remember
Roger Ayles (@roger-ayles)
12th June 2025, 14:30
expect more new races from 2027…………….. On more utterly dire car park circuits.
This is perhaps my biggest dislike in what new races get added. I’m not against the US having 3 races for example but I just cannot stand the circuits they picked for Miami & Las Vegas, Boring flat, featureless, soul-less, atmosphere-less car parks that are simply not fun to watch cars lapping.
If the 2 additional races in the US were circuits like Indy, Watkins Glen, Road America, Laguna Seca or new purpose built permanent circuits like COTA then I think those 2 additional US races would be a bit better recieved due to been on far better circuits.
I feel the same with Madrid. If they are going to have a 2nd Spanish GP or potentially move the Spanish GP away from Circuit De Catalunya then fine but that Madrid circuit been yet another car park track just makes it feel like a downgrade as while I accept that the racing at Circuit de Catalunya isn’t always full of action it’s still actually a very good circuit, Far better than any of the more recent car park additions.
Simon
12th June 2025, 22:56
Agree with what you’ve written here, @roger-ayles, especially about the 3 races in Miami & Las Vegas.
Both of these are “we must have a race in Miami, no matter what” and “we must have a circuit using The Strip in Las Vegas, no matter what”.
The only circuits I have been excited about, before their first GP weekend, were Circuit Of The Americas, Baku, Mugello and Portimão/Algarve.
Madrid will be just like Miami
Sam
12th June 2025, 17:00
I agree with the sentiment of what matters is the track, not the country. Three US races is fine if they involve Road America, Watkin’s Glen, Mid Ohio, Daytona Road Course and even COTA. No need to have a German GP and a French GP given that Mugello and Portimao are better circuits than anything in those countries.
I’ll grant that to be a world championship there should be a race in every geographical region, so I’ll grudgingly accept a race in the middle east (Qatar). Kyalami would be good to have back, but a race anywhere in Africa is fine providing someone builds a decent race track.
I also think there should be an oval, perhaps at Charlotte.
How does this sound for a 16 race championship: Surfer’s Paradise, Suzuaka, Sepang, Qatar, Istanbul Park, Hungaroring, Silverstone, Zandvoort, Spa, Mugello, Portimao, Kyalami, Road America, Daytona Road Course, Charlotte Oval and Sau Paulo.
Coventry Climax
12th June 2025, 22:09
Agree with the general gist, but:
Excuse me?
Mugello is in Italy, and Portimão in Portugal, so neither of them in either Germany or France.
Do I sense some authentic american geographical knowledge here?
anon
12th June 2025, 23:02
Coventry Climax, no, that is not what that poster is saying and your response appears to arise from either deliberate or unintentional ignorance (both of which you have demonstrated of in the past).
What they are saying is that, in their opinion, there is no point in visiting either France or Germany when there are circuits in other counties (Mugello and Portimão in this case) that they consider to be better and therefore more worthwhile visiting.
Simon
12th June 2025, 23:09
Well, I read Sam’s post as this:
“No need to have a German GP and a French GP” (at, for example, Hockenheim/Nürburgring and Paul Ricard”
because
Mugello, and Portimão… are better circuits than those three/than anything in those countries in Sam’s opinion