Silverstone among 10 F1 tracks with short contracts as axe looms for favourites
Silverstone is among several iconic Formula 1 venues with contract expiring within the next two years.
The F1 calendar is currently bigger than ever before. In 2024, a record-breaking 24-race schedule is planned - adding the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which was cancelled last year due to local floods, and the returning Chinese Grand Prix to the 22-race championship from 2023.
More races per season helps to fulfil demand from a global army of new fans that F1 has attracted in recent years. It is also more lucrative for commercial rights holders Liberty Media, with more money to be made from adding extra races.
But 24 per year is the limit under the current Concorde Agreement within F1. And with more potential new venues in the pipeline, some classic circuits are at risk of losing their places on the annual schedule.
Mirror Sport has looked at the 10 current F1 venues with the shortest contracts and assessed how safe their places on the calendar are:
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British GP, Silverstone - 2024
As it stands, Silverstone currently has just one more year left on its existing contract. But there is no reason for UK-based fans to worry - the Northamptonshire circuit is far too important and historic for the world championship for it to be at risk. A new contract is inevitable and the British Grand Prix will remain a key part of the schedule for years to come.
Japanese GP, Suzuka - 2024
Suzuka is one of the great motorsport venues in the world and is surely safe on the F1 calendar (Getty Images)A near ever-present on the F1 calendar since 1987, Suzuka also has an unclear future beyond this year. But, like Silverstone, it is a firm favourite among fans and drivers alike not to mention one of the more challenging circuits on the calendar. The value of the Japanese market along makes the Japanese Grand Prix safe, you would imagine.
Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps - 2025
Another very challenging circuit, but Spa-Francorchamps feels less secure than either of the above. Two more races in Belgium are guaranteed but, of all the historic European venues, Spa feels like one of the most at-risk. Facility upgrades are required and there are safety concerns, particularly after the death of 18-year-old Dilano van't Hoff last summer. There's work to be done to save Spa, you feel.
Chinese GP, Shanghai International Circuit - 2025
The Chinese Grand Prix is back for the first time since Covid (Getty Images)F1 returns to Shanghai this year for the first time since the Covid pandemic. Regardless of its absence, though, the Chinese Grand Prix got an extension until 2025. China is another massive market for F1 and having Zhou Guanyu on the grid may spark even more interest from the locals. Should be safe - depending on how the return goes.
Dutch GP, Zandvoort - 2025
Zandvoort is a fun little track on the Dutch coast and one of the most pleasant venues on the calendar. This race's existence owes much to Max mania in the Netherlands, with sell-out crowds cheering on Verstappen since the Dutch Grand Prix returned. If the Orange Army keep interest then an extension is likely, you feel. However, because the track is so small and weekend attendances are comparatively tiny as a result, it is far from the most lucrative venue for F1.
Emilia Romagna GP, Imola - 2025
Flooding saw the 2023 Imola race cancelled ((Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images))Imola returned to F1 during Covid and with a rebranded event name, having previously hosted what was called the San Marino Grand Prix. It's a widely-loved track and is likely to get at least a year extension beyond 2025, owing to the enforced cancellation of the 2023 event.
Italian GP, Monza - 2025
The other race in Italy, though, feels less secure. Like Spa, Monza is a beloved, historic track but needs renovation work which is going much more slowly than F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali would like. He has already made it clear he's not happy with those delays. Ferrari would likely do anything to avoid losing their home race from the annual calendar, though. Expect two Italian races per year for a few years yet.
Las Vegas GP, Las Vegas Strip - 2025
F1 has pumped a lot of money into Las Vegas, so expect this event to stick around (Getty Images)The new jewel in F1's crown, the first Las Vegas Grand Prix in November got off to an inauspicious start but the weekend was rescued by a genuinely thrilling race. The pomp and circumstance isn't for everybody, but if the racing is always that good then it will become a popular event in the years to come. Has an initial three-year contract, but lawmakers in Nevada have already voted to allow for up to 10 years of traffic disruption in the area - so its hard to see F1 not taking full advantage of that.
Mexican GP, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez - 2025
Rather like the Dutch GP is supported by Max Verstappen fans, this event invariably sees support for Sergio Perez go into overdrive. The fans are extremely passionate and there are few more impressive sights in F1 than cars going through the stadium section when the stands are packed. F1 chiefs are happy with six races per year across North and South America and with the current geographical split, so changes here are not anticipated any time soon.
Monaco GP, Monte Carlo - 2025
A year or two ago, it sounded as if the Monaco Grand Prix was in real danger. The racing is often far from exciting, with the streets of Monte Carlo far too narrow for much overtaking with this huge modern F1 cars. But the lack of any margin for error makes it arguably the best qualifying track of the year, every year. That, and the race's undoubted historical value, strengthens the argument that this event should be preserved. The next two years are vital.
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