F1 LINE UP ALTERNATIVE VENUES FOR.2027 CALENDER WITH ZANDVOORT AND IMOLA ON STANDBY

As Formula 1's 2027 calendar is announced, GPBlog understands that Imola, Barcelona and Zandvoort have all been named as possible fill-in venues should the Middle East conflict persist into next year.

The calendar is expected to be formally announced on Wednesday following an e-vote at the World Motor Sport Council on Monday. While Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain listed to close the season, and F1 teams have already received firm private guarantees about the region, there are proposed slots in the schedule where replacement races could be added without overhauling the full schedule.

Verstappen's former home race on standby

Zandvoort's presence on the contingency list stands out. The Dutch circuit hosted what was billed as its final grand prix just weeks ago, on 23 August, after the promoter chose not to extend beyond its contract. Verstappen won there three times and the event became synonymous with his orange army, yet if the backup slots are activated, his former home race could make one more surprise appearance.

Barcelona, which is taking a one-year break from the calendar before an expected return in 2028, and Imola, separately understood to be the leading option for a potential December replacement finale, complete the shortlist. All three venues have recent F1-grade infrastructure and could be brought online at short notice.

Calendar clashes cloud Verstappen's endurance ambitions

The provisional schedule also creates complications beyond the Middle East question. The proposed Portuguese Grand Prix dates would clash directly with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while the Austrian Grand Prix would overlap with the 24 Hours of Spa. For Verstappen, who recently said his endurance racing plans depend entirely on the F1 calendar, the clashes could stall ambitions he has pursued for years. "It would be nice, of course," the four-time world champion said last week. "If I participate, I want to do it my way."

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stressed the sport's readiness for multiple outcomes. "We have different plans with different options already in place that will accommodate the fact that we will keep, in any case, the target of 24 races also for next year," he said during the summer break. A final decision on the Middle Eastern rounds is expected by the end of September.

- Ben Hunt

F1 BOSS STEFANO DOMENICALI CONFIRMS SEASON WILL FINISH

• Formula 1 has set a mid-September deadline to decide whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi can host the final two rounds of the 2026 season

• F1 president Stefano Domenicali confirmed the championship will finish in Europe if the Middle East conflict rules out both races, with Imola under consideration as a venue

• The sport looked at running a second race in Las Vegas instead but turned it down, with Domenicali pointing to the NFL calendar and mild European temperatures late in the year

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali walks in the paddock

Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images

Formula 1 has given itself until the middle of September to work out whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi can still host the closing two rounds of the 2026 season, with president and CEO Stefano Domenicali confirming the championship will finish in Europe if the conflict in the Middle East rules out either event.

Speaking to reporters this week, Domenicali said F1 is watching how other motorsport series are handling the same problem, and pointed to the World Endurance Championship’s own call to stay away from the region at the end of the year.

Bahrain’s Move to Malaysia Raises Fresh Doubts

F1’s bosses were already forced to scrap April’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this year, and confirmed over the weekend that the Bahrain Grand Prix will instead run at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in October. That switch has fed new doubt over whether the final two rounds of the season, in Qatar on November 27-29 and Abu Dhabi on December 4-6, can go ahead in their planned homes.

Domenicali said F1 is comparing notes with other championships as it plans for every outcome. “With regard to the end of the season, we are in touch with all the other championships,” he said. “And I know that, for example, WEC (World Endurance Championship) has announced that they will not go at the end of the year in the Middle East and they will stay in Europe.”

No Call Before Mid-September

Domenicali is holding off on a final decision for as long as he can. “The way that we are structured is that we will take the maximum time for us to see how the situation will develop, and we will take the decision at the right time,” he said. “That moment would be not before the middle of September.”

For now, both races remain on the books. “For us, today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed,” Domenicali said. “But, of course, if the situation will not be clearer, the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision.”

He was direct about what happens if either race falls through. “I just want to confirm to you that if this (races in the Middle East) will not be possible, the end of the season will be in Europe, because we cannot go in other places,” he said. “There are some possibilities on the table, but I don’t think it’s right to make some promises or anticipate certain things, but that’s the situation of today.

“Even if I really hope that it will not be the case, if the situation will not allow for us to be there, we’re going to finish the championship in Europe.”

Imola Waits in the Wings, a Second Las Vegas Race Is Ruled Out

Italy’s Imola circuit has been tipped as the front-runner among any European replacement venues, though Domenicali stopped short of confirming it. “An option, but is not defined,” he said of the historic track. He explained that “Brexit-connected documentation” limits F1’s options largely to the continent, adding that more than one European venue is under consideration.

Behind the scenes, F1 also looked at running a second race in Las Vegas rather than sending the finale to Europe, an idea it later dropped. “There was a possibility of having two races in Las Vegas, but we don’t want to ruin a jewel that is growing by undervaluing what we are doing there,” Domenicali said.

He added that racing in Europe late in the year would not necessarily mean colder conditions than the alternative. “The fascinating side is that if I look at the statistics of the temperature in Europe in that time, it is less cool than Las Vegas’ average temperature while we are racing,” he said. “It’s definitely something that no one knows where the temperature will go and what the weather will be like. I think that actually we see in this situation of how the pollution of the climate change is happening. There’s no certainty or anything about that.”

Timing against the NFL calendar also played a part in ruling out a second Las Vegas date. “We don’t have to forget that in that period of the year, we are fighting in the US against NFL,” Domenicali said. “That is a major sport that is, I don’t want to say detracting, but a lot of fans are watching that, so we need to avoid any kind of situation that would put us in front of something that of course is quite still very big in the US.”

Already Planning Beyond 2026

Domenicali has also been looking further ahead, to the calendar for 2027. “So far, the calendar that will be presented, let’s say in autumn, it would be as a sort of normal plan,” he said. “But of course, in the case that the situation in the Middle East would be not solved, we have options. But the trigger for that is at the end of the year, so we have still a lot of time to adjust. We have different plans with different options ready in place that will accommodate the fact that we will keep, in any case, the target of 24 Grands Prix for next year.”

Portugal and Turkiye are both confirmed to return to the calendar in 2027, part of what Domenicali described as continued demand from “a lot of requests to host Grands Prix all around the world” as the sport keeps growing.

Title Fight Resumes With 12 Rounds Left

Any reshuffle of the closing rounds would land in the middle of a tight title fight. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli currently leads Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 50 points with 12 scheduled rounds remaining, after Lando Norris ended his own long wait for a 2026 win at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break. The 2026 calendar already sits at 23 races rather than the original 24 following the loss of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and stops still to come include the Italian Grand Prix on September 4-6, Spain’s first Madrid round on September 11-13, Azerbaijan on September 24-26, the Malaysia-hosted Bahrain round on October 2-4, Singapore on October 9-11, the United States on October 23-25, Mexico on October 30 to November 1, Brazil on November 6-8, and Las Vegas on November 20-22, before the season is scheduled to close out in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Formula 1 returns from its break with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix on August 21-23, by which point the plan for the season’s final rounds could look very different already.

- Jack Renn

FAN-FAVOURITE TRACK SECURES 2027 F1 RETURN TO TURKISH GP SIGNS NEW DEAL

The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the F1 calendar next year.

Turkey last hosted F1 in 2021

The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027 after agreeing a major new deal.

The race will be held at the popular Istanbul Park near Tuzla, which last held races during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. It will be the first race of a fresh five-year agreement for Turkey to host grands prix.

Turkey first staged an F1 race in 2005 and was a regular fixture on the calendar until 2012 when it was dropped after no deal could be reached. While attendances were often poor, the Istanbul track provided good races.

The 2010 edition was particularly memorable, with Red Bull pair Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber wiping each other out and paving the way for an epic battle between the McLaren's of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

In 2020, Hamilton sealed a record-equalling seventh world championship at the Turkish Grand Prix by winning the race. Valtteri Bottas took victory for Mercedes the last time Turkey staged an F1 race in 2021.

Turkey will effectively be a replacement for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which will be held for the last time this year, with a new race in Madrid taking over as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix.

F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Türkiye and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1.

“As a city, Istanbul represents a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia, offering a unique blend of history and tradition with a forward-thinking approach to sport, business, and entertainment.

“I want to thank His Excellency President Mr. Erdoğan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation for their support in securing Formula 1’s return.

“Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at Istanbul Park and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership, giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Formula 1’s return to Türkiye is a powerful reflection of the continued global growth and appeal of our sport, and I am delighted to see the Turkish Grand Prix rejoin the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar.

"Istanbul Park is a circuit that holds a special place in Formula 1 history, and its return underlines our shared commitment to expanding the championship in dynamic markets.”

- Lewis Larkam

F1 ANNOUNCES AUSTRIAN GP EXTENSION UNTIL 2041

The Austrian Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar in 2014

Formula 1 has confirmed that the Austrian Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until at least 2041, following a new long-term agreement with race promoters.

The extension ensures the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg will continue to host the popular race, strengthening its place in the F1 calendar for years to come.

A post via F1 Media’s X account confirmed the news: “Formula 1 has confirmed that the Austrian Grand Prix will remain a fixture on the calendar until at least 2030, following a new long-term agreement with race promoters.

“The extension ensures the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg will continue to host the popular race, strengthening its place in the F1 calendar for years to come.”

Stefano Domenicali added via F1’s website: “Austria has long been an incredibly special race for Formula 1 so it’s fantastic we have secured the long-term future of a Grand Prix so deeply rooted in the sport’s history.

“The vision and passion of Dietrich Mateschitz gave the race the investment and attention that allowed it to return as an incredible event on the Formula 1 calendar.

“Each year, returning to the stunning Styrian mountains is a highlight – an experience that evokes incredible emotion among our drivers, teams, and fans alike, creating an atmosphere unlike any other.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mark Mateschitz and Thomas Überall and his team for their unwavering dedication to excellence, and to our incredible Austrian fanbase, whose enthusiasm and loyalty continue to elevate this iconic race.”

- Harry Whitfield

THAI GP DISCUSSIONS, SAYS F1 CHIEF DOMENICALI

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
 

SHANGHAI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Formula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali has revealed advanced discussions with Thailand to host a Grand Prix, signaling the sport's ambition to increase its Asian footprint while balancing a "quality over quantity" approach to its booming calendar.

Speaking exclusively to Xinhua during the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Domenicali confirmed that Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had expressed "strong interest" in hosting a Grand Prix.

"The government of Thailand, the prime minister, were really interested to develop a project. We should finalize something in the next months," he said, calling the talks "very good" but cautioning "I'm not here to oversell."

The Thailand prospect arrives as F1 grapples with a record 24-race calendar since the 2024 season, up from 22 in 2021 when Domenicali first took charge. With races now spanning five continents including seven in Asia, the Italian emphasized that new additions like Thailand would require existing events to rotate or drop off the calendar.

"We don't want to go over 24 races. It's a matter of working with opportunities," he said, noting the sport's evolution from a Europe-centric schedule to a "real world championship", with fewer than half the races now held in Europe.

Domenicali stressed a focus on improving the fan experience over sheer volume. "We want to work with promoters to improve quality. That's very, very important," he said, the philosophy of which aligns with his recently announced five-year contract extension, securing his leadership of F1 through 2029.

 "We need to get into new audiences, and it's in our DNA to keep the eye on sustainability," he added.

Meanwhile, F1's grid will expand in 2026 with Cadillac as the sport's 11th team, backed by American automotive giant General Motors. Domenicali hailed the entry as a "big, tough challenge" but vital for innovation.

"Cadillac, one of the biggest manufacturers in the automotive industry in our competition, brings technology and expertise. It's beneficial to our sport," he said, though he ruled out further team additions. "We need to work on quality more than quantity." 

 - Xinhua

 

F1 BOSS: CALENDER TO STAY AT 24 RACES DESPITE HUGE INTEREST

Stefano Domenicali, alongside FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem at the Chinese Grand Prix. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

 Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali says the sport's calendar will remain capped at 24 races despite more than 35 new venues showing an interest in hosting an event -- 11 of which he says are serious contenders.

New events in Miami, Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the past four years have seen the F1 calendar reach the sport's self-imposed limit of 24 races.

According to ESPN sources, new projects that have shown an interest in joining the F1 calendar exist in South Korea, Thailand, China, South Africa, Rwanda, Malaysia, India, New York and Chicago.

Domenicali told ESPN "more than 35" venues had expressed an interest in joining F1, but when asked how many of the 35 were serious contenders, he added: "Eleven -- so, they are all realistic.

"No, seriously, the request is very, very big. It is up to us to make the right choices. But the number is set at 24. It will stay 24. Don't forget that five years ago we were at 17 or 18.

"It was a big step to add more in such a short time, but it is just because the market requires it and we love doing great things together. But 24 is the limit."

If the cap of 24 remains in place, existing venues would have to make way if new races are added. Domenicali said a provision is in place to protect historic venues in F1, but added that no single circuit has its place guaranteed on the calendar.

"There is a provision that we need to make sure the races need to be respected, but that doesn't mean there is a duty," he said. "The world is evolving and the need of everyone to push to be the best is there and nothing is given for granted to anyone.

"Of course, we want to push everyone to improve. That is our objective."

Despite apparent interest from new venues in the United States, Domenicali ruled out a fourth race in the country.

"It would be wrong to go from one, in Austin, now to three [with Miami and Las Vegas], as well with Montreal, Mexico City and Brazil in the Americas ... so already the calendar looks full there.

"I don't expect to have more races there, to be honest."

- Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor

FIA COMPLIANCE PROBE KICKS UP A STORM

Reuters

Formula One's governing body announced a compliance probe on Tuesday that drew a furious response from the sport's owners, top team Mercedes and one of the most senior women in motorsport.

The storm broke after the FIA issued a surprise statement saying it was looking into reports a team boss had received confidential information from an employee of the commercial rights holder.

Although the principal was not named, media identified him as Mercedes' Toto Wolff whose wife Susie leads the all-female F1 Academy and reports to Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

STEFANO DOMENICALI | PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FORMULA 1

 

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