Written by Lily Dixon, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Tourism booming, economies thriving, and hundreds of thousands of fans gathering in cities to watch 20 — soon to be 22 — cars race around tracks for hours, covering up to 305 km of distance.
Be it travelling from Budapest to Vienna, or from Paris to Brussels, each time a driver steps behind the wheel, dawned in their team colors, in bright papaya, scarlet red, or a Petronas green, fans show up.
But, much like everything in Formula 1, the expectations are more demanding than meets the eye, and viewership doesn’t break the ice of the concepts Formula One prides itself on, like sustainability, commercial potential, and inclusion.
Because of this, a staple such as Spa, which hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, could crash out before reaching the checkered flag, failing to secure its stability on the Formula 1 calendar.
So, which tracks should fans look forward to seeing the next generation of iconic wins, performance masterclasses, and bold overtakes at? And which are at high risk of making a departure before Crofty can say, “It’s lights out, and away we go?”
Qatar - SAFE
The Losail International Circuit made its return to the calendar in 2023, and immediately faced backlash for the extreme conditions drivers had to endure to finish the race, and tyre degradation that led to shortened stints.
The race was held in October, with the FIFA World Cup in the country scheduled for November.
After reports of vomiting and blackouts due to the demanding nature of the high-speed track, fans and teams were quick to question whether the Qatar Grand Prix should continue.
Thankfully, in 2024, organisers pushed the race back to early December, with no football world cup scheduled for then. This significantly lowered the temperature in the atmosphere — despite the race being held at night. Adding more kerbs too made it feasible for teams to pull off a two-stopper.
Qatar’s large financial backing and sponsorship agreements make it a highly valuable partner and asset for Formula 1’s growth.
Monaco - SAFE
Recently extended through 2031, Monaco is arguably the safest out of all the F1 tracks due to its rich history and impact on the sport. Since 1950, the inaugural season of Formula 1, the Monaco Grand Prix has been on the calendar, showcasing the glitz and glamour of racing.
Despite facing public scrutiny over the past couple of years due to its lack of overtaking opportunities, and being dubbed “a parade” rather than a race, Monaco remains a driver favorite.
It also forms an important part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, referring to the trio of pinnacle race events — the Indy 500, 24 Heures Du Mans, and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Austin - DANGER
The United States currently has three tracks on the F1 calendar, with two of them set to remain on the Formula One calendar past 2030.
While COTA may boast a more exciting track layout than what the Miami Grand Prix offers in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium, or a better circuit for overtaking compared to the fancy Las Vegas street race, it’s lacking commercially.
With fierce competition to maintain a slot on the already boisterous calendar moving forward, and Austin’s contract expiring in 2026, it could be out before making it to the checkered flag, cementing itself as the ultimate U.S. Grand Prix location.
Bahrain - SAFE
The 5.4 km circuit almost perfectly balances all the aspects the sport looks for in a Grand Prix location.
Bahrain’s focus on sustainability, within the sport as well as off it, is easily evident. Investing in the future of single-seater racing — starting from karting — has led the Middle Eastern country to put their money where their desire is, investing in their own talent prospects within the motorsport series.
The track itself is high-quality, and with the race held at night, typically earlier in the season, it draws large numbers in viewership and attendance.
Being the first nation in the region to host a Formula One Grand Prix back in 2004, Bahrain has always been a popular venue for the sport, be it worldwide or in southwest Asia.
Barcelona - DANGER
Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz have made all the difference for Spanish fans, but when the two-time world champion retires, and former Ferrari driver Sainz stagnates in the sport, engagement could dwindle.
In recent years, Barcelona has seen inconsistent spectator numbers and TV viewership, possibly due to the less-thrilling setup of the track, making for lacklustre races.
With Liberty Media, the sport’s owners influencing the direction of prospective new locations, including street venues, some European tracks could fall off the calendar, making room for more in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
One of the tracks taking the fall will be Barcelona, mooted out for a street track in capital city Madrid earlier this year.
But, there’s always room for evolution, and though the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is at risk of disappearing in the coming years, it could make a resurgence down the line, boasting new relevancy like many current tracks have.
Spa Francorchamps - DANGER
Battling in the rain, flat-out to Eau Rouge, and gutsy overtakes have made Spa a fan favorite. But in recent years, financial concerns and an effort to reduce danger have put the Belgian track’s future in jeopardy.
In recent years, two drivers have fallen victim to Spa’s extreme weather conditions, with Anthoine Hubert involved in a multi-car crash in F2 in 2019, and Dilano van ’t Hoff when racing in FRECA last season.
In addition to concern for drivers, Spa Francorchamps is also under threat by Formula 1’s initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
For an older track like Spa—which dates back to 1921, with changes that reflect the current state of the circuit coming in 1971 — coping with the efficiency requirements may prove to be a financial burden and time-consuming.
As such, a cornerstone on the Formula One calendar could be on its way out in the future.
São Paulo - SAFE
Though not one of the highest-paying hosts, São Paulo remains a staple on the calendar for its consistent excitement for fans, year after year, and its iconic nature, largely because of Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna, who won his home race twice, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Interlagos circuit has witnessed some of motorsport's most iconic moments, including both Ayrton Senna’s first home victory in 1991, and Lewis Hamilton’s maiden title win in 2008.
Interlagos’ legacy dates back to 1973, and the race has remained on the calendar, aside from a few breaks over the 51 years.
São Paulo is a central hub in South America — an important audience for the sport — and its fans fill the seats annually, boosting F1’s global influence.
With track contract extensions at Monza and Monaco past 2030, other cities will be fighting to claim the remaining spots on the 24-race calendar, hoping to make their mark on one of the most legendary sports in history.
On the other hand, Zandvoort will not be returning post 2026, ending their partnership with F1, regardless of the current World Champion being Dutch. So, which track’s taking the black flag next?