The Formula 1 calendar has never been as jam-packed as last season and next. In 2022, no less than 23 Grands Prix are scheduled, which is one more than in 2021. F1 is attracting even more viewers, hence why there is interest from all corners of the world to hold a race. Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has spoken of the sport's desire to continue to visit new locations in the future, with many countries keen to host F1. In fact, the interest is so high that Domenicali has argued that a 30-race calendar could be put together quite easily. Whether this would be a popular option amongst those in the sport is another story but, with the likelihood being that new circuits will be added to the schedule in the future, RacingNews365.com has taken a look at the tracks and countries interested in holding a Formula 1 event.
Colombia (Barranquilla)
The president of Colombia, Ivan Duque, has shown interest in becoming the next country in South America to host F1. There are plans to organise a Grand Prix in Barranquilla, a port city in Colombia. The mayor of the city is said to have already had talks with the Formula 1 organisation, according to the president of Colombia himself. It will reportedly be a 'semi-street circuit', although there are no concrete plans yet. If this did come to fruition, it would be the first time that Colombia has hosted a Grand Prix. However, Domenicali has stressed that there is huge interest from other countries around the world.
Germany (Nurburgring)
Germany is also aiming for an F1 comeback, not at Hockenheim, but at the famous Nurburgring. A spokesman for the circuit has stated that there is still interest. "We are still willing to talk," the Communications Director of the operating company, Alexander Gerhard, explained. "We continue to take the view that we can very well imagine Formula 1 at the Nurburgring, but under economically sensible general conditions." It was not so long ago that the Nurburgring hosted a Grand Prix. The circuit returned to the calendar in 2020, in what was a delayed and shortened season owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Domenicali has said that he would like to see an F1 race in Germany again in the near future.
South Africa (Kyalami)
The South African Grand Prix was on the F1 calendar regularly between 1960 and 1993. The Kyalami circuit hosted most of these visits and Warren Scheckter, the CEO of the South African GP, says the track is ready to hold a Formula 1 race again. At the end of 2021, it was said that a Grand Prix could be staged as early as 2023. Formula 1 itself would also like to see a race on the continent. Since 1993, no Grand Prix has been organised in Africa. The circuit does not yet have the FIA Grade 1 status required to host a GP but, with a few minor adjustments, this looks like it should be viable. "If the money is there, then the race will take place," Kyalami owner Toby Venter said recently.
United States (Several possibilities)
Formula 1 is experiencing a boom in the United States. The sport has tried to increase its popularity in the US in recent years, and with great success. Through various campaigns, including the wildly popular Netflix series Drive to Survive, interest in F1 has grown enormously. The 2021 US Grand Prix was completely sold out, and in 2022 a second event in the country will take place in the form of the Miami Grand Prix. It might not stop there, either. The F1 organisation certainly has no objection to a third race, and may in fact welcome it given the growing demand for a Grand Prix visit in the US. Several options have been mentioned, such as a race in the heart of Las Vegas or in New York. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit also remains a possible candidate.
China (Several possibilities)
In 2023, the Chinese Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar after a three-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Shanghai race is already popular, but will be even more in the spotlight next year. This is due to the arrival of the only F1 rookie in 2022, Guanyu Zhou. The Chinese racing driver is sparking an increased amount of interest from motorsport fans in his home country. Because of this, there is even talk of a second Grand Prix in China. The Formula 1 organisation has already announced that talks are underway, although they will not say with which circuit. "I can tell you that interest has already been shown by another city to host a GP of China," Domenicali told The Race .
The Netherlands (Assen)?
The TT Circuit Assen is still interested in hosting a Grand Prix. Before it was announced that the Dutch F1 race would return to Circuit Zandvoort in 2021, both venues lobbied for a place on the Formula 1 calendar. Zandvoort was the one to secure a multi-year contract to host the event. Even after Circuit Zandvoort had received the rights, Assen let it be known that it was still interested. However, the contract with Zandvoort states that no second Grand Prix can be held in the Netherlands. This contract runs until 2023 and there is still an option for an extension of two years, so Assen has to be patient.
Great Britain (London)
In recent years, the possibility of an F1 race in London has also been mentioned regularly, with Great Britain thought to be keen to organise a second race. A visit to the capital city would take the form of a street race. The coronavirus pandemic seems to have perhaps put these plans on the back-burner, though, whilst Domenicali has suggested that holding a Grand Prix in London would be "quite invasive and difficult for the community to manage".
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