Since US-based Liberty Media took over F1 in 2017, it has made untapping the series’ potential in America one of its key priorities, adding races in Miami and Las Vegas to its existing grand prix in Austin.
In the wake of F1’s popularity boom, a vast number of American sponsors have flocked to the series, with HP the latest to jump on board with Ferrari.
Last year’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, which F1 promoted itself, also turned out to be huge commercial success, fuelling rumours that the series was keen on adding a fourth event in the country.
But Autosport understands that while F1 is keen to continue its growth in the US, it is happy with its current spread of races in the Americas. That also include popular events in Montreal, Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
Wild rumours of a new race in Chicago by 2026 have been firmly shot down.
Instead, the series is looking at the Far East as a market that is still underserved.
Mechanics make final preparations on the grid before the start
Photo by: Lionel Ng / Motorsport Images
The Malaysian Grand Prix disappeared in 2017 to leave just Singapore, Japan and China on the calendar, while efforts to bring F1 to Vietnam didn’t come to fruition.
Thailand appears to be a contender for a new race in South East Asia following talks in April between prime minister Srettha Thavisin and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
The Thai government is keen on a street race in Bangkok to boost tourism, with Thai-owned Red Bull understood to be a key player behind the scenes in making the race happen.
There have also been talks with the South Korean port city of Incheon about a return of F1 to the Korean peninsula from 2026 or 2027 onwards.
What F1’s Asian push means for the existing races
While interest in new events remains high worldwide, Domenicali has stressed he is not looking at expanding the schedule beyond the current number of 24 races, with a maximum number of 25 enshrined in commercial agreements.
“We currently believe a 24-race schedule is the optimal number of events,” Domenicali told Wall Street analysts earlier this month.
Expanding further in Imola to the Italian press, he added: “We are seeing a lot of interest from a lot of countries in Formula 1, and this obviously represents an opportunity for development. At the same time, it puts us under an obligation to make choices in terms of the calendar.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
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