The Formula 1 (F1) racing calendar, unveiled each year, is a constant event met with anticipation and excitement from fans. While there are usually host circuits that are expected each year, new additions are occasionally added or extended to stay part of the variety of Grand Prix events across the globe. Recently, one Grand Prix location has been announced to have an extended contract well into the 2040s, being one of only two circuits to currently have this long-term assurance.
Formula 1 fans hope for their home turf to stay
For avid F1 fans, having a race hosted in your home country, or better yet, your home city, is the best case scenario. Racing right at your doorstep limits your travel expenses and allows you to concentrate the majority of your expenses on watching a race in person on the ticket itself.
This year’s F1 racing season began in Australia at the Albert Park in Melbourne, with the finale to be hosted at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 7. While the Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Suzuka circuits remain core staples to the calendar, some more recent additions this year include the Las Vegas, Miami, and Saudi Arabia Grand Prixs.
This country is to keep its Formula 1 racing contract
Much to the delight of F1 fans from Austria, F1 has decided to keep the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring for the foreseeable future, with a new contract set for the race to remain on the World Championship racing calendar up until 2041. The contract extension makes the Red Bull Ring the second circuit to sign a contract which lasts into the 2040s, with the Miami Grand Prix, first added to the F1 circuit rotation in 2022, being the first to extend its contract until 2041.
“Austria has long been an incredibly special race for Formula One so it’s fantastic we have secured the long-term future of a Grand Prix so deeply rooted in the sport’s history,” F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.
For US fans, the 5,457-mile travel to Austria may be a bit of a stretch, but in addition to the Miami circuit, fans can also travel intrastate to Austin, Texas, where F1 has hosted a race every year since 2012, apart from a break for 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the Austrian Grand Prix showed hope for Ferrari. After a disappointing performance by seven-time world Champion Lewis Hamilton at the Canadian Grand Prix, the British racing driver seemed ready to throw in the towel for this year’s season. However, after a podium finish for teammate Charles Leclerc and a fourth-place finish for Hamilton, Ferrari may be ready to turn things around.
The 2026 race calendar has already been announced by the FIA
If you were hoping that your home country might make it to the 2026 racing calendar, you may be disappointed to know that the 2026 racing calendar locations have already been announced by the FIA. Italian fans will be disappointed to know that the Imola Grand Prix will not be taking place next year; however, the Monza Grand Prix will continue to take place in September 2026.
However, F1 fans hailing from Spain have some good news coming their way, with the championship set to return to Madrid in September of next year. The last time Madrid hosted an F1 race was in 1981 at the Jarama circuit. The news of F1 making its return to Madrid began in 2024; however, the uncertainty can finally be laid to rest with confirmation from the release of the 2026 calendar. In addition to the Madrid race, the Barcelona Grand Prix is also expected to continue to take place next year.
