Our new Formula One contributor, Graham Duxbury, take’s a closer look at F1’s calendar and the current battleground between tradition and progress.
Formula One’s calendar has always evolved, adapting to economic, political and safety considerations. However, the last two decades have seen an accelerating shift away from traditional circuits in favour of new, commercially-driven venues. The rise of street races in locations like Las Vegas, Miami and Jeddah highlights F1’s push for global expansion. But this often comes at the expense of historically significant tracks such as Kyalami, the Nürburgring and Sepang which have disappeared from the calendar.
Could these tracks ever return, or has F1 outgrown them? Many classic circuits were once the backbone of the F1 calendar, hosting legendary races that defined eras.
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The Old Guard
Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, a challenging 14-mile track – dubbed “The Green Hell” – served as a proving ground for racing greats. However, after Niki Lauda’s fiery crash in 1976, the track was considered too dangerous for F1, leading to its replacement by a modernised (and safer) circuit.
Kyalami was another staple of the sport, hosting Grand Prix races from the 1960s to the early 1990s. The circuit saw legendary races, including John Love’s “near miss” in 1967 (he finished second to Pedro Rodrigues after pitting for fuel), Jody Scheckter’s emotional home win in 1975 and Niki Lauda’s dramatic 1984 comeback victory.
However, political turmoil and economic challenges led to its exclusion from the calendar with the last race win in 1993 going to Alain Prost. Sepang, which introduced Malaysia to F1 in 1999, was considered one of the best modern circuits. Designed by the renowned Hermann Tilke, it featured sweeping corners and long straights, but declining attendance and rising costs saw Sepang dropped after 2017.
Looking Forward
One of the primary reasons for the shift away from historic circuits is financial concerns. Traditional European tracks, often built decades ago, lack the modern infrastructure and government-backed funding that newer circuits in the Middle East and Asia provide. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are willing to pay upwards of $50 million per year to host a GP, significantly more than struggling classic venues can afford.
The recent influx of street circuits, particularly in the US, reflects F1’s desire to tap into lucrative new markets. Races in Miami and Las Vegas are designed as high-profile entertainment events, catering to sponsors and celebrities as much as motorsport fans. While these races bring undeniable financial benefits, they often receive criticism for their uninspiring track layouts and lack of historical significance.
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Short-lived Experiments
Not all new venues have succeeded. The Indian GP (2011-2013) and the Korean GP (2010-2013) were short-lived experiments that failed due to financial mismanagement and lack of local interest. Similarly, the Turkish GP was dropped after 2011 due to financial struggles, only returning in 2020 and 2021 as a COVID-era replacement before disappearing again.
These failures highlight a crucial issue: simply adding new venues without long-term planning does not guarantee success. In addition to funding, sustainable races require strong local fan engagement and an exciting racing product. Despite F1’s push into new markets, many believe there is still hope for classic circuits. Will history prove them wrong?
An SA GP?
Kyalami has been repeatedly mentioned as a potential returnee. Following a major track upgrade in 2015 there have been increasing calls for F1’s return to Africa. Negotiations for a SAGP began more recently with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali visiting the track, but concerns over hosting fees and local infrastructure have proved difficult to overcome.
The Nürburgring, despite hosting a GP as recently as 2020, has struggled to secure funding. Hope is fading fast as a German GP without financial backing would be a loss-making exercise for the private company that owns the track. The situation in Malaysia is similar. While Sepang remains viable, without funding – ideally government funding – its return remains unlikely.
A Balancing Act
The key question for F1’s future is how to balance commercial expansion with its rich history. Liberty Media, F1’s current owner, has made efforts to preserve classic venues like Silverstone, Spa, Monza and Monaco, but the pressure to chase new revenue streams remains strong. Ultimately, F1’s shifting calendar is a reflection of the sport’s evolving priorities and the rising costs associated with it. Sadly, tradition alone is not enough to guarantee a race’s place on today’s calendar, although the hope for many is that F1 can find a way to respect its celebrated past while embracing its challenging future.