It was introduced earlier this month that Zandvoort would hold its final Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix in 2026.
With the present calendar seeming to be fastened at 24 races per 12 months, this leaves an area for an additional observe to host a GP in solely a few years’ time.
Will we see a brand new observe make its debut on the F1 calendar? Or will previous favourites make a comeback?
Rwanda
A key contender for a future System 1 race is Rwanda, with the country formally announcing its bid to hold an race earlier this month.
Rwanda hosted the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali on 13 December, and Max Verstappen additionally served his neighborhood service in Rwanda for swearing in a Singapore GP press convention, the place he attended a grassroots motorsports growth occasion.
Talks have been in progress to deliver F1 to Rwanda for some time, and Alexander Wurz is designing a observe to be positioned close to the capital metropolis of Kigali.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali mentioned earlier this 12 months that Rwanda was “critical” and had “introduced a superb plan” for the prospects of holding a grand prix there sooner or later.
F1 has not raced in Africa since 1993, when the final South African GP was held at Kyalami.
Drivers have known as for F1 to go to Africa once more, together with Lewis Hamilton, who mentioned: “I believe having a grand prix there, it might actually be capable of spotlight simply how nice the place is and herald tourism and all kinds of issues. Why are we not on that continent?”
Max Verstappen additionally mentioned: “I actually suppose we want a race in Africa. We principally race on each different continent already, so I believe that is the subsequent step for System 1. System 1 already has a historical past in South Africa, so that might be a terrific addition to the System 1 calendar.”
Kyalami
Kyalami is the South African observe the place F1 raced between 1967-1985 and 1992-1993 because the South African Grand Prix.

Ricardo Patrese, Brabham leads the sector at the beginning
Photograph by: Motorsport Photos
Kyalami would appear a logical place for F1 to go, given its established nature as a System 1 observe.
Earlier this 12 months, ex-F1 driver David Coulthard visited the observe, taking to the asphalt within the 2011 RB7, and likewise did a present run in Johannesburg.
“To have a real world championship, you have to be on this continent,” he mentioned. “I consider within the curiosity and the will and if the people who have to put signature on paper can discover an settlement, then yeah, we’re prepared to come back.”
Whereas Kyalami doesn’t at the moment maintain FIA Grade 1 certification, the extent wanted to host F1 races, if the observe was to succeed in this by 2027, there’s an opportunity F1 might return to the observe in alternative of Zandvoort – the primary F1 race to be held in Africa for 34 years.
Istanbul
F1 hasn’t visited Turkey since 2021, when Valtteri Bottas took the victory forward of Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
The observe is located in Istanbul Park and made its debut on the calendar in 2005, earlier than a hiatus between 2011-20, when it made a quick return in the course of the COVID-hit campaigns.
Earlier this 12 months, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to debate F1 returning to Turkey.
Ben Sulayem mentioned: “Istanbul Park is a contemporary circuit which is widespread with drivers whereas town of Istanbul is a thriving metropolis which might welcome a return of System 1 with open arms.”
Can Bilim Egitim Kurumlari A.S took over from earlier leaseholders Intercity and would be the operators for the subsequent 30 years, eager to deliver Turkey again to the F1 calendar.
Qiddiya
Earlier this 12 months, plans for the brand new Velocity Park Monitor in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, have been revealed, with many never-before-seen options.

Qiddiya Metropolis observe rendering
Photograph by: Qiddiya Media
Set amongst big rock formations, the observe consists of an uphill part to be held excessive above the bottom, and is surrounded by varied amusements, resembling rollercoasters and a water park.
A number of drivers spoke in favour of the observe, such as Lando Norris, who said: “I’ve seen the video and the preview, and it seems fairly loopy. You may have quite a lot of locations that are nowhere close to as energetic and as enjoyable. So, if you need individuals to be drawn to the game generally, you don’t need it simply to be a observe in the course of nowhere that nobody goes to.”
Development of the location is underway and might be accomplished by 2027. This may come just a little too late to instantly change Zandvoort, however it might be a contender to hitch the calendar in place of the present Saudi Arabian GP observe in Jeddah.
Buenos Aires
With the alternative of Logan Sargeant after the Dutch GP with younger Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto at Williams, F1 noticed an enormous inflow of Argentinian followers.
Nonetheless, F1 hasn’t been to Argentina since 1998 and regardless of Colapinto not being on the 2025 grid, it hasn’t stopped curiosity in grand prix racing returning to the nation of F1’s first world champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
Argentina’s former vice chairman Daniel Scioli revealed they have been beginning to work on probably bringing F1 again to Argentina, assembly with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, however talked about no concrete timeline.
“We’re beginning to work on the potential for bringing System 1 again to Argentina,” Scioli mentioned. “There’s quite a lot of arduous work to be completed with a view to attain the target. We’ve got to work on the racetrack, on all the necessities of an occasion as refined as this one.”
After a 26-year absence from the calendar, a return in 2026 could also be optimistic. But when Colapinto was in a position to make his manner again onto the grid with a full-time drive within the close to future, calls for for a return in his house nation might improve.
Hockenheim
With a brand new main German producer becoming a member of the grid in 2026, when Sauber is absolutely rebranded as Audi, there’ll little question be enthusiasm for F1 to return to Germany.
Regardless of being the second-most profitable nation when it comes to wins, Germany has not hosted a race since 2019 at Hockenheim.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W10, and Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB15, put together to guide the sector away at the beginning
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
It was reported by German media earlier this 12 months that the emodrom investor group would make investments €250million within the observe throughout the subsequent 5-10 years.
Managing director Tim Brauer mentioned: “In fact, we’re additionally interested by System 1. However we strategy such issues with nice warning. We won’t embark on any monetary adventures, however we may also attempt to discover fashions for the way we are able to deliver System 1 again to Germany.”
Barcelona
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has held the Spanish Grand Prix since its development in 1991.
Nonetheless, it was introduced in January of this 12 months that the Spanish GP would make the move to Madrid from the 2026 season, because of be held at a hybrid 3.4-mile observe within the outskirts of town.
Whereas it appears unlikely, if no different observe was to current itself quickly sufficient to fit itself for the 2027 season, F1 might make a return to the circuit, even when solely as a placeholder.
No observe
In fact, there may be the chance that F1 will select to have one fewer spherical on the calendar, given virtually half the 12 months’s weekends are at the moment occupied by grands prix. The timetable is strenuous and takes drivers and crew personnel into a number of totally different timezones throughout 5 continents.
Firstly of the 2024 season, a number of drivers spoke out towards the busy calendar, together with Carlos Sainz, who mentioned: “I actually hope it simply doesn’t go a lot increased than 24, as a result of if not, I believe it’s going to be very tough for everybody.”
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