Rumours of latest places becoming a member of the Method 1 calendar come and go – however there are at the moment two locations for which the rumours appear to have some substance. We check out how Thailand and a Grand Prix on the African continent might be a part of the schedule in 2028.
Information articles about model new F1 locations ought to often be taken with a pinch of salt. Most of the unique and unlikely tasks by no means turn into something greater than a headline. Often, nonetheless, there are plans which have some substance. For the time being, there are persistent rumours {that a} race on the African continent and a race in Thailand will probably be subsequent to affix Method 1’s ever-growing calendar.
However what stage is every undertaking at? How seemingly is it that the occasions will be a part of the calendar within the subsequent few years? And what would wish to occur for the trail to be paved for the brand new places to be confirmed? Right here’s all the newest on how the 2 tasks might discover their approach onto the schedule.
Is Thailand Most More likely to Earn a Contract Subsequent?
Insiders say that the Thai Grand Prix undertaking is the most definitely to succeed – and it’s on the most superior levels, too. Plans for a race in Thailand took main steps ahead in June, when the Thai cupboard authorised the bid to convey Method 1 to the streets of Bangkok, securing the funding for the race to turn into a actuality.
The present plan is for F1 to take to the streets within the Chatuchak Park space of the Thai capital, north of town centre. In a information convention, spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub cited an preliminary five-year deal for the occasion – working from 2028 to 2032, value over $1 billion.
Talks with Method 1 have been ongoing for a while. In Might 2024, then-Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin met with Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, following a go to to Thailand by Domenicali one month prior. Then, after a change of presidency, new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Domenicali to re-visit the plans. The game confirmed the assembly in a social media put up, by which Domenicali was quoted as saying:
“I used to be delighted to fulfill with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and her staff at this time to debate their spectacular plans to host a race in Bangkok. I’m wanting ahead to persevering with our discussions within the weeks and months forward.”
Following that, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, in line with the Bangkok Submit, which is the subsequent step in conducting feasibility opinions, centered on the monitor format, its socio-economic impression and sustainability.
British-born Thai driver Alex Albon has involvement with the plans and just lately described the undertaking as “actually promising”. Speaking in regards to the monitor format he mentioned:
“I wouldn’t name it your basic road monitor. Not those that we often see in the previous few years. I believe it’s obtained extra character than that, which is constructive.”
It’s seemingly that the subsequent information we hear in regards to the Thai Grand Prix would be the results of the feasibility evaluate, which – if it has a constructive final result – will pave the best way for the occasion to be formally confirmed.
How Shut is F1’s Return to Africa?
The scenario in Africa is a bit more sophisticated. F1 bosses have lengthy been eager on the game returning to Africa. In Might, Stefano Domenicali mentioned he expects there to be no answer within the quick time period, however revealed earlier that there are three African international locations with critical curiosity in internet hosting a Grand Prix.
The long-standing hypothesis about F1’s return to Africa started with murmurs of a possible return to Kyalami – the circuit that final hosted the South African Grand Prix again in 1993. There have been quite a few setbacks to plans for South Africa’s return to the Grand Prix stage.
Again in 2022, it was alleged that the South African Grand Prix was lined as much as change the Belgian Grand Prix on the next season’s Method 1 calendar. Nevertheless, the deal fell by and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was as an alternative handed a single-year contract extension. The Kyalami bid then went chilly, allegedly resulting from political causes – although headlines nonetheless prompt {that a} return to the monitor may very well be on the playing cards for 2025.
With no additional information on the Kyalami bid since, one other place of curiosity in South Africa is Cape City. It’s understood {that a} road circuit format just like that used for Method E’s solely go to to town in 2023 is being thought of as a place to begin for the F1 monitor. An replace was equipped in April 2025, by which organisers claimed the road monitor might home as much as 250,000 followers, however information on the undertaking has been silent since then.
Outdoors of South Africa, two different tasks are being thought of. In 2024, the FIA’s end-of-year prize giving was held in Rwanda and, forward of the ceremony, the nation’s President Paul Kagame revealed that his nation was bidding for an F1 race. The potential monitor has been designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz and will probably be situated on land 40km outdoors of the capital Kigali. There was little point out of the undertaking because it first made headlines late final yr.
Step ahead, Morocco. In Might 2025, RacingNews365 reported {that a} new undertaking within the northwestern nation might be a part of the push for Method 1’s return to the African continent. Method 1 has raced in Morocco solely as soon as beforehand, when the ultimate spherical of the 1958 season befell on the Ain-Diab Circuit – one among solely 11 tracks which has hosted solely a single World Championship occasion. A race was additionally held on the monitor in 1957, nevertheless it was not given championship standing.
The brand new undertaking is situated 20km south from Tangiers and is a part of a plan to spice up the native financial system with 10,000 new jobs, incorporating a Grade 1 race monitor, a shopping center, a theme park, accommodations and a marina.
Former McLaren staff principal Eric Bouillier has involvement in Morocco’s bid however he himself has conceded that the occasion that includes on the calendar is a “lengthy shot”. Of the 4 African tasks, it seems that the Kyalami and Cape City bids are at the moment most definitely to be given the inexperienced mild.
Which Races Will Be On The 2028 Method 1 Calendar?
So how might Thailand and a race in Africa discover their approach onto the Method 1 calendar by 2028? As of August 2025, there are 19 races confirmed to look on the Method 1 calendar till at the very least 2028, with a complete of 24 obtainable slots on the schedule underneath the present laws.
It’s doable that the laws will probably be up to date within the subsequent few years to extend the utmost variety of rounds to 25, however that will be controversial provided that many members of the paddock really feel that 24 rounds is already absolutely the most possible variety of races per yr.
Though 19 races’ contracts final till at the very least 2028, solely 18 of these occasions will seem on the calendar that season. That’s as a result of the Belgian Grand Prix will seem on a rotational foundation from 2028 onwards, with 2028 set to be the primary season to not characteristic the Spa race on the schedule since 2006.
Of races which seem on the calendar in 2025 and haven’t confirmed their presence on the 2028 schedule, there are two which we all know is not going to characteristic. In December 2024, Dutch Grand Prix organisers confirmed that 2026 will probably be Method 1’s final go to to Zandvoort. In the meantime, the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was F1’s remaining look at Imola, with it lacking out on a place on the recently-revealed 2026 calendar.
Provided that Imola missed out on a spot on the calendar resulting from F1 not eager to have multiple race in a rustic (america apart), it appears unlikely that Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will prolong its tenure past the tip of its present contract in 2026. Spain can have two races in 2026: the aforementioned Barcelona Grand Prix and the Spanish Grand Prix at its new residence in Madrid, which holds a contract by to 2035.
One other race with out an formally confirmed contract in 2028 is the Las Vegas Grand Prix, although given F1’s main funding into the race and the truth that the game has an settlement in precept to utilise the well-known Las Vegas Strip for racing into the 2030s, it seems that the latest evening race is a lifeless cert on the 2028 schedule. It has been reported the contract for the Las Vegas race has already been prolonged to 2027 – however there’s but to be any official affirmation from Method 1.
That leaves Circuit of the Americas and Baku Metropolis Circuit as the 2 circuits with out contracts for the 2028 season. Neither race is believed to be in danger – america Grand Prix is without doubt one of the best-attended rounds every season, whereas the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is believed to pay one of many highest internet hosting charges of any occasion on the calendar.
Operating the maths, this implies there are 21 present races that are greater than more likely to seem on the F1 calendar in 2028. That quantity turns into 22 if we add in whichever race will alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix, which has not but been confirmed – although Portugal has been mooted as a doable choice. Conveniently, all of this leaves two areas obtainable on the schedule for 2028 – which may very well be stuffed by Thailand and an African race.
What Occurs Subsequent?
Any announcement about new races often comes lengthy earlier than the race takes place for the primary time. For the newest additions to the calendar, Madrid’s addition to the calendar was confirmed 32 months earlier than its first look, whereas Las Vegas was confirmed 20 months earlier than it made its debut in November 2023. Due to this fact, it appears seemingly that bulletins for brand new races in 2028 might be anticipated earlier than the tip of 2026 on the newest.
The primary main step is securing a Memorandum of Understanding – which the Bangkok undertaking reportedly has already achieved. Albeit non-binding, it’s the first main step in displaying critical intent to host a future Grand Prix. As talked about above, a feasibility evaluate of every undertaking might want to happen, figuring out if the placement is definitely able to internet hosting a Method 1 race.
Then, there are different concerns to be made. The monitor should be designed – or, if already present, upgraded – to FIA Grade 1 requirements, the usual required to host a Method 1 race. The circuit format should be authorised, although it isn’t uncommon for layouts to be tailored after official bulletins are made.
The monitor is topic to an inspection by the governing physique previous to its inaugural race. That is extra tough when coping with road circuits, which convey their very own challenges – like metropolis permits, site visitors administration plans and environmental compliance.
Then, in concept, the primary race weekend will happen and not using a hitch. Although that’s not at all times the truth, nonetheless, as confirmed on the primary day of motion on the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. Opening apply was cancelled simply minutes after the inexperienced flag was proven for the primary time when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari hit a unfastened drain cowl. The second apply session was in the end delayed till 2:30am!
