As the Formula 1 schedule is fixed at 24 events and the championship’s performance indicators keep rising, obtaining a position on the race roster seems increasingly challenging.
The widespread appeal of F1 has generated substantial enthusiasm from potential host locations, nations, and administrations, though not all demonstrate equal feasibility.
Nevertheless, political figures announcing a Grand Prix as a certainty too soon will probably not make a positive impression on the series. In fact, it implies that an agreement might be ill-advised if the potential host either misjudges the scale and enduring viability of staging an event in the Liberty Media era, or if F1 is simply being exploited for domestic political advantage.
Remarks from Indian authorities suggesting an F1 comeback in 2027 surprised F1 executives and were promptly rejected, with comparable speculative assertions frequently emerging from South Africa.
A Formula 1 comeback to Argentina also seems unlikely in the near future, as Buenos Aires is initially focused on successfully staging MotoGP at a refurbished Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez. A renewed wave of F1 enthusiasm exists in the financially strained nation due to the debut of local star Franco Colapinto, but without certainty that the 2026 Alpine driver will still be competing when Argentina is prepared to host an event, a national driver’s presence by itself cannot form a stable basis for a Grand Prix.
F1 leadership primarily seeks a financially viable strategy from a new market, instilling assurance to finalize an extended agreement. It’s not by chance that F1 has been trending towards exceptionally long-duration contracts in significant markets recently, with most of the calendar confirmed through at least 2032. The well-regarded Red Bull Ring competition in Austria has even seen its contract extended to 2041, while Melbourne, Madrid, Bahrain, and Montreal are all set to remain on the schedule for at least ten more years.
F1 will race in Austria until 2041
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
This arrangement benefits both parties, offering a publicly traded entity such as Liberty Media increased steadfastness and assured earnings, while also enabling local event organizers and authorities to amortize substantial infrastructure outlays across a more extended timeframe. It is a considerable challenge for an organizer to commit to constructing an entirely new paddock facility without assurances of its frequent utilization.
“One of the pertinent aspects is not about a singular year’s peak performance,” F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali remarked when questioned by Autosport regarding entry into new markets. “It’s about how we can guarantee that upon entering a new location, there is a multi-year strategy for continued presence, and that a significant market exists.
“We cannot establish ourselves in a place that might experience one exceptional year, and then the following year, what becomes of the business strategy? What is your supporter base? What is your commercial standing that instills confidence in a five or ten-year commitment? Thus, we require concrete evidence.”
Dedicated Funding for Enhancements Demands F1’s Pledge
The entity holding F1’s commercial rights reports persistent strong global interest from potential event organizers, and given the strict ceiling of 24 races, it continues to operate in a vendor’s market. This enables F1 to not only command a substantial sanctioning payment but also achieve its other objectives concerning transportation, accommodation, leisure, and environmental responsibility.
“While there is considerable demand from additional territories, we are largely committed to partners who are confident in making an enduring investment, which we consider advantageous,” Domenicali further stated.
“A point I consistently emphasized during investor discussions, when questioned about our rationale for pursuing such long-term agreements – primarily, we do so because of our conviction in that particular market. However, secondly, it enables us to request capital contributions from the promoter. Otherwise, with only a three-year contract, how can you incentivize the promoter to make significant outlays? For instance, Miami will construct a new hospitality zone within the upcoming two years. We are encouraging Australia, for next year, to erect a new paddock and updated amenities, as we are prolonging our engagement there. Hungary and Austin follow a similar pattern.”
Watch: Autosport’s Exclusive Interview with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali
The instance of Budapest is pertinent as securing these sustained investments in Europe has inherently proven more challenging compared to oil-rich nations or other developing economies. The quantity of races hosted on F1’s traditional continent has faced strain, with Barcelona and Belgium taking turns, and the Dutch Grand Prix organizers concluded that renewing their contract past 2026 presented an excessive financial exposure.
Nonetheless, F1 has succeeded in prolonging agreements for several of its pivotal European venues at Silverstone, Monza, and Monaco; furthermore, the inclusion of or more brief arrangements, such as Portugal’s deal for 2027 and 2028 to occupy Zandvoort’s position, provides a degree of adaptability to complete the 24-race schedule until some of these more extended events come to fruition.
Potential organizers who seem to have approached the process correctly, up to this point, include Thailand and South Korea, who have devised proposals for street circuits in Bangkok and Incheon, correspondingly. Although neither nation appears exceptionally close to a deal, with Thailand’s recent governmental instability causing delays, both have put forth robust proposals involving substantial capital, whether from public or private sources. Incheon’s initiatives are also contingent on the results of forthcoming mayoral contests, which further illustrates the complexity F1 faces in identifying the opportune moment to finalize an agreement.
Formula 1 Achieves an Ideal Position in North America
Despite expanding within the United States continuing to be a primary objective for F1, with much depending on its fresh broadcasting contract with Apple, Domenicali has tempered enthusiasm for suggestions to include additional races in the nation, despite interest from cities such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Although F1 would be eager to broaden its presence in East Asia should a suitable chance arise, it currently stages five competitions in North America, encompassing Miami, Montreal, Austin, Mexico, and Las Vegas.
“I believe there’s substantial and increasing interest within the U.S. from various locations,” Domenicali commented, pointing out that any further inclusion would, in practicality, only be feasible if an existing event were to be removed. Among the group of North American races, Mexico’s recently extended agreement concludes earliest, in 2028, though regional governing bodies are eager to negotiate another renewal.
“Prudence is necessary. Naturally, if Mexico is no longer on our calendar in the future, or if other developments occur in that part of the globe, we might contemplate alternatives. Incidentally, they intend to extend their contract. However, adding more [races] at present, I believe, would upset the equilibrium.”
F1 would need to lose a race in North America before others are considered
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Establishing enduring partnerships additionally provides F1 with greater influence to refine the geographical arrangement of its schedule, aligning with its aggressive CO2 reduction goals. A long-held desire, now realized, was to switch the positions of Canada and Monaco, allowing Canada to be linked with Miami, thereby preventing extra transatlantic shipping journeys. The fourteen-day interval between these two events still necessitates personnel undertaking that supplementary journey, suggesting that discussions of enhancing travel sustainability lean more towards logistical efficiency than human capital considerations.
Incorporating elements such as the regional weather, national and spiritual observances, and the requirement for a seasonal pause in winter and summer, it becomes evident why assembling a 24-event racing schedule constitutes an intricate logistical challenge. Adjacent territories also prefer to separate their events to prevent direct rivalry for their respective spectator demographics.
Domenicali expressed his opinion that the present F1 schedule strikes an appropriate equilibrium between commercial imperatives and logistical necessities, which frequently present conflicting requirements.
“I believe we have already achieved significant progress in streamlining the schedule, even though it’s important to recall that not only the logistical progression must be honored, but also the commercial aspect of every competition,” he stated.
“One might suggest, from a logistical standpoint, placing the four Middle Eastern races consecutively, and similarly with the American [races], but this would not align commercially. Consequently, I believe that regarding equilibrium, we have already advanced considerably this year by positioning Canada after the U.S.”
“Thus, I am of the view that, logistically, the schedule is effectively arranged, taking into account the limitations imposed by commercial factors.”
