Dream calendar? F1 tracks that should be dropped

Core summary

The 2027 Formula 1 calendar is now locked in with the Turkish Grand Prix returning, completing a 24‑race schedule. In the latest F1 Paddock Update podcast, Jim Kimberley and Ben Hunt debated which circuits deserve to stay, which should go, and when the sport could add a new venue.

Why it matters:

• A full 24‑race calendar leaves no room for fresh tracks until at least 2029, shaping F1’s growth and commercial strategy.
• Removing under‑performing or financially strained venues can tighten the schedule and lift overall race quality.
• The blend of historic European circuits and newer markets drives the championship’s global brand and sponsor appeal.

The details:

• A viewer’s wish‑list featured ten tracks: Kyalami (South Africa), Nürburgring & Hockenheimring (Germany), Sepang (Malaysia), Istanbul (Turkey), Portimão (Portugal), Yeongam (South Korea), Buddh International (India), Paul Ricard & Magny‑Cours (France). The fan imagined a rotating German‑French Grand Prix.
• The Portuguese GP at Portimão has a two‑year contract (2027‑2028); the Turkish GP is secured through 2031.
• Three existing deals expire in 2028 – Portugal, Singapore, and Mexico – opening a potential slot for a new circuit in 2029.
• F1 officials have confirmed the calendar will not expand beyond 24 races for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, meaning no additional venues can be added before the 2029 window.

What's next:

The next opportunity for a fresh venue arrives in 2029 when the 2028 contracts lapse. Until then, teams and promoters will focus on maximising the current lineup, while fans continue to lobby for the return of classic circuits like Kyalami or the introduction of a rotating French‑German round. The debate highlighted in the podcast underscores how the calendar’s shape remains a key lever for Formula 1’s sporting and commercial future.