Formula 1 is set to rejuvenate its calendar and add rotational rounds, freeing calendar slots for the sport to visit new territories. Which events are most likely to start appearing on the calendar in alternate years? We take a look at the possibilities.
The current Formula 1 regulations stipulate that a maximum of 24 Grand Prix weekends can take place per season. F1 has now reached that limit, with the 2024 season being the longest on record at 24 rounds. The 2025 calendar also features a full roster of 24 rounds, while one circuit will need to make way in 2026 for the new venue in Madrid that is set to become host of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Despite this, the sport’s bosses remain keen to expand into new territories. The return of a Grand Prix in Africa has long been rumoured, while F1’s continued popularity in the United States means that another race in America is a real possibility.
Instead of saying farewell to stalwarts of the schedule, it has been proposed that F1 will instead rotate some races on the calendar in each year, allowing the sport to continue visiting the firm fan favourites while also reaching new venues. An alternation system would mean that certain venues will appear on the schedule once every two years, instead of annually.
The rotational rounds are expected to affect races in Europe rather than any of F1’s so-called “fly-away” rounds. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that having rotating rounds is part of his future vision for the sport and has said that plans to put this in place will be finalised and announced “soon”.
Which Circuits Have Long Commitments on the F1 Calendar?
Of the 25 circuits which currently hold contracts to host F1 races – including the new circuit in Madrid, which will become host of the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026 – 13 have long-term contracts which run into the next decade.
The longest contract is at Albert Park, where the Australian Grand Prix will continue to be held until at least 2037. Other circuits with contracts lasting into the 2030s are Bahrain International Circuit, Silverstone, the Hungaroring, Monaco, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Miami International Autodrome, Interlagos, the Red Bull Ring and Yas Marina Circuit.
The Saudi Arabian and Qatar Grands Prix also have long-term F1 contracts, lasting to 2030 and 2031 respectively, but these events could move to other, purpose-built circuits in the near future.
Meanwhile, Marina Bay Street Circuit and Suzuka have contracts which last almost to the end of this decade. Singapore is signed up through to 2028, while Suzuka will continue to welcome F1 for the Japanese Grand Prix each year until 2029.
As far as anyone is aware – at least in terms of public knowledge – these contracts are all annual deals, meaning that each circuit mentioned above will appear on the calendar every year between now and the end of the term. The circuits will all continue to appear on the calendar in every F1 season, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Which Circuit Contracts Are Up For Renewal?
There are some circuits which have their contracts up for renewal in the next few years which do not appear to be in any immediate danger of losing their spot on the Formula 1 calendar. Circuit of The Americas continues to welcome over 400,000 fans per race weekend and is the best-attended – and arguably the best-loved – of the three American races on the schedule. The chances of Austin losing its place appear slim.
Likewise, the Las Vegas Grand Prix – the latest addition – should be safe, given the commitment that F1 has given to the city and the fact that it has permission to utilise the famous Las Vegas Strip for racing purposes until at least 2032.
The Mexico City Grand Prix also appears unlikely to lose its place on the calendar given its continued growth, though Sergio Perez’s dismissal from Red Bull will put this to the test in 2025. Attracting over 400,000 fans, the 2025 Mexican race weekend will be the first since the event’s revival in 2015 in which no Mexican drivers will compete.
Which Circuits Could Host Alternating Rounds?
Imola
Until recently, both Italian circuits on the Formula 1 calendar – Monza and Imola – had their contracts up for renewal in 2025. It was previously suggested that the two races could alternate as host of the Italian Grand Prix. Monza has hosted all but one Italian Grand Prix in F1 history, with Imola having stepped in as a replacement in 1980.
In November 2024, Monza secured a new deal, keeping the track on the calendar as host of the Italian Grand Prix annually until at least 2031. There’s yet to be news on the future of Imola’s contract, suggesting that it could be one of those in line to alternate.
Imola re-joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Previously, whenever the idea of rotational races was mentioned, it was always rumoured that the first pair of circuits to be coupled together and host F1 races in alternate years would be Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort. However, in December 2024, race organisers at the Dutch track announced that the circuit will depart the F1 calendar after 2026.
Interestingly, press releases at the time confirmed that the Dutch Grand Prix had been offered a place on the calendar in a rotational capacity – something which event organisers declined.
The Belgian Grand Prix’s current contract is set to expire in 2025. Given recent upgrade work at Spa-Francorchamps – and the event’s ever-increasing popularity – it would be no surprise if Belgian Grand Prix organisers were seeking a new annual deal with Formula 1, rather than appearing only every other year.
However, given the circuit’s recent struggles in staying on the calendar, having signed a string of short-term contracts, it would also not be shocking if a rotational deal was accepted in order to keep the track on the schedule in any capacity.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
The Catalunya circuit, just outside of Barcelona, has been a mainstay on the calendar since 1991, when it began hosting the Spanish Grand Prix. However, in 2026, the event will move to a new home in Madrid.
It leaves the future of Catalunya’s tenure on the calendar in jeopardy. The track does hold a contract to host a Grand Prix in 2026, most likely under the Catalan Grand Prix title. Its future beyond that appears uncertain and will likely depend on the race’s popularity in 2026, when there are two Spanish events on the calendar.
Spain previously hosted two races per season from 2008 to 2012, when Catalunya hosted the Spanish Grand Prix and Valencia hosted the European Grand Prix. The tracks then signed a deal to alternate as Spanish Grand Prix host from 2013 – though this never actually happened.
The short-lived nature of F1’s last experiment with two Spanish tracks on the calendar may dissuade bosses from trying a similar approach again – especially given that home hero Fernando Alonso will be departing the sport before too long and Carlos Sainz is no longer racing with a front-running team.
Baku City Circuit
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is often mentioned as a fan favourite, thanks to its unpredictable street racing. Baku City Circuit has been on the calendar since 2016 but attendance figures at the event have never been particularly impressive. Fewer than 80,000 fans attended over the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, which is believed to have been the lowest attendance figure of the season.
Formula 1 has a long list of interested countries and venues willing to host Grands Prix, many of which could likely attract larger attendance figures than the Baku track. From a business point of view, it would therefore make sense for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to take a back seat and begin appearing on the schedule every other year, if at all.
Baku City Circuit’s current deal with Formula 1 expires after 2026.
Are There Any Other Circuits Which Could Appear on a Rotational Basis?
Circuits not mentioned above are either fly-away events which are highly unlikely to become rotational rounds, or circuits which hold contracts that last into the 2030s.
A point of interest, however, could be the wording of press releases when previous circuit contracts have been announced. The Red Bull Ring, for example, signed a deal lasting from 2024 to 2027 back in March 2023. Then, just four months later, it signed another three-year contract extension through to 2030.
There is no explicit mention in the press release that this is actually an annual deal, other than stating that the contract lasts until 2030. As far as public knowledge goes, the specific terms of existing contracts are not known. It may be the case that there are certain provisions within existing contracts for Formula 1 to stage the race every other season if it so chooses.
We should have a clearer picture on this when any new rotational deals are announced – potentially as soon as early 2025.
