Latest news with #DutchGrandPrix
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Turkey joins host of countries eyeing F1 race – and could step-in as soon as 2026
Turkey is looking to claim a permanent spot back on the F1 calendar and has offered the services of Istanbul Park for 2026 should any country be unable to host their race. The Turkish Grand Prix first appeared on the sport's calendar in 2005 for seven iterations, before it was dropped in 2011. However, the race at the popular Istanbul circuit returned in the Covid-hit years of 2020 and 2021. However, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) have made it known their desire to host a race again. While the 24-race 2026 calendar has already been published, Istanbul could step in if any race – such as the new street track in Madrid, with the race scheduled in September 2026 – is not ready in time. 'As is known, the 2026 calendar has already been announced,' TOSFED president Eren Uclertopragi told Autosport. 'Nevertheless, in the event that a race cannot be held for various reasons, we could host the Turkish Grand Prix.' However, Ulcertopragi has made it known that Turkey – alongside a host of other countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Thailand and South Korea – wants a long-term spot on the schedule. 'There is a strong commitment from the government to bring Turkey back onto the Formula 1 calendar with a permanent and long-term agreement. 'Unlike during the pandemic, we do not want to host a one-off replacement race; instead, we aim to secure a place on the calendar through a long-term contract.' The federation's president added that a potential bid has the backing of Turkey's government and its location offers advantages, especially if any potential race can be paired with the nearby Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 'Turkey still has a very popular and unique track, a population of 85 million, great interest in the sport among young people, a market where more than 1.2 million cars are sold annually, factories or major distributors of most F1 car brands located here, and a geopolitical position,' he said. 'The huge spectator potential in countries within a two-to-three-hour flight from Istanbul makes it a country that could add significant value to the F1 calendar if included. 'Preferably, September is a month when the weather is good in Istanbul and students return to school. Therefore, I think it would be very convenient to organise the race in September. 'The fact that the Azerbaijan GP will also take place in our sister country in September could make things easier for Formula 1 teams in terms of logistics. A race that can be held before or after going to or returning from Baku would be a relatively lower-cost and easier operation for F1.' With the Dutch Grand Prix set to leave the calendar after 2026 and Barcelona also dropping off, two spots could open up for 2027. F1 is keen to host a race in Africa, the only habitable continent it does not host an event in, while a street track in Bangkok is also being considered by bosses of the sport.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Fears for future of iconic F1 track that's set to disappear from calendar after years of drama and tragedy
Max Verstappen called on it to have special status earlier this year Bel tolls Fears for future of iconic F1 track that's set to disappear from calendar after years of drama and tragedy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOR Formula One fans, few race tracks capture the pure essence of motorsport racing quite like Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps. Located in the Ardennes forest, the 7km circuit has a special place in the hearts and history of F1 and beyond. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The iconic Belgium Grand Prix is under threat Credit: Getty 5 Spa-Francorchamps is a traditional track with some of the best racing in motorsport Credit: Getty 5 But the glamour of new F1 tracks like Las Vegas mean Belgium's place is under threat Credit: Getty 5 It is already now on a rotation contract from 2026 Credit: Getty Whether it's the tricky La Source (Turn One), the breathtaking ride up Eau Rouge and Raidillon (Turn Three, Four and Five) or the sweeping double left-hander at Pouhon (Turn 12), there is something to get every petrol head excited. And that is not to mention the countless iconic races which have graced F1 there over the years - with Belgium being one of the original grand prix in F1's first season in 1950. From Michael Schumacher's maiden F1 win at Jordan in 1992 to Lewis Hamilton's epic battles with Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel in 2008 and 2018 respectively, raceday there is rarely dull. Indeed, reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen named it as one of the six circuits which should have protected status on the calendar, alongside Silverstone, Suzuka, Interlagos, Zandvoort and Imola. READ MORE IN F1 FLOODY HELL Fears for F1 race with track damaged by huge storms appear to rip up road However, the modern pressures of F1 - which has seen the demand for glitz and glam skyrocket as scores of influencers and celebs with only a passing interest in the sport choke out those who genuinely care - mean some of the most iconic tracks on the calendar are at risk. Imola has lost its contract from next season in place of another controversial street track in Madrid, while Zandvoort is celebrating the final Dutch Grand Prix in 2026. Spa's place in the F1 calendar has already been reduced to a rotation piece for the next six years, with its absence sure to be felt in 2028 and 2030 in the wake of potential new venues such as Thailand or Argentina. However, gone are the days when the relative danger of a circuit is tolerated by FIA and F1 chiefs. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK F2 driver Anthoine Hubert tragically lost his life following a high-speed multi-car collision at Raidillon in 2019, while four years later Dutch driver Dilano van 't Hoff was also killed in the same spot during a race in Formula Regional. Circuit chiefs responded in 2022 by investing in gravel traps, widening run-off areas and moving barriers, but some said the changes did not go far enough. Fears for F1 race with circuit damaged by raging storms as floodwater rips up part of the track Wet races there are a particular concern too, with the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix being abandoned after just two laps driven behind the safety car due to the almost non-existent visibility on the track. The spray issue of F1 tyres is far from Spa's fault, but a growing desire for races in parts of the world where weather conditions are more guaranteed, such as the Middle East or even the warmer states in the USA, mean money talks. A record 380,000 fans attended the F1 weekend in Spa last year, yet lucrative money-spinning deals with new tracks including Las Vegas and Miami in the expanding US market are choking an already congested calendar. Indeed, the move to three races in the States came before the release of the new F1 movie. The film, produced by Apple and starring Brad Pitt, broke box office records as it grossed $463million worldwide on a reported budget of $200-$300m. Spa is a traditional track, but a fair share of the latest generation of fans following the success of Netflix's Drive To Survive series and any more after the film tend to be more ensnared by the spectacle of the host tracks. Monaco has suffered the opposite issue to Spa, being a place where the race result is all but decided by Saturday's qualifying due to a lack of overtaking opportunities, but with the glamour to justify its continued existence. The real question for all parties in the coming years is whether F1 is really willing to abandon what made it the most popular motorsport in the world, the racing, in favour of money-spinning events catered for celebs and social media stars. In many ways it could be argued that it represents a battle for the soul of the sport, and some tough debate could be in line for CEO Stefano Domenicali in the future. F1 returns to Spa this weekend after a two-week break in the 2025 season, with the backdrop of Christian Horner's abrupt Red Bull exit sure to make headlines before any cars even hit the track.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Fears for future of iconic F1 track that's set to disappear from calendar after years of drama and tragedy
FOR Formula One fans, few race tracks capture the pure essence of motorsport racing quite like Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps. Located in the Ardennes forest, the 7km circuit has a special place in the hearts and history of F1 and beyond. 5 5 5 5 Whether it's the tricky La Source (Turn One), the breathtaking ride up Eau Rouge and Raidillon (Turn Three, Four and Five) or the sweeping double left-hander at Pouhon (Turn 12), there is something to get every petrol head excited. And that is not to mention the countless iconic races which have graced F1 there over the years - with Belgium being one of the original grand prix in F1's first season in 1950. From Michael Schumacher 's maiden F1 win at Jordan in 1992 to Lewis Hamilton 's epic battles with Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel in 2008 and 2018 respectively, raceday there is rarely dull. Indeed, reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen named it as one of the six circuits which should have protected status on the calendar, alongside Silverstone, Suzuka, Interlagos, Zandvoort and Imola. However, the modern pressures of F1 - which has seen the demand for glitz and glam skyrocket as scores of influencers and celebs with only a passing interest in the sport choke out those who genuinely care - mean some of the most iconic tracks on the calendar are at risk. Imola has lost its contract from next season in place of another controversial street track in Madrid, while Zandvoort is celebrating the final Dutch Grand Prix in 2026. Spa's place in the F1 calendar has already been reduced to a rotation piece for the next six years, with its absence sure to be felt in 2028 and 2030 in the wake of potential new venues such as Thailand or Argentina. However, gone are the days when the relative danger of a circuit is tolerated by FIA and F1 chiefs. F2 driver Anthoine Hubert tragically lost his life following a high-speed multi-car collision at Raidillon in 2019, while four years later Dutch driver Dilano van 't Hoff was also killed in the same spot during a race in Formula Regional. Circuit chiefs responded in 2022 by investing in gravel traps, widening run-off areas and moving barriers, but some said the changes did not go far enough. Wet races there are a particular concern too, with the 2021 Belgium Grand Prix being abandoned after just two laps driven behind the safety car due to the almost non-existent visibility on the track. The spray issue of F1 tyres is far from Spa's fault, but a growing desire for races in parts of the world where weather conditions are more guaranteed, such as the Middle East or even the warmer states in the USA, mean money talks. A record 380,000 fans attended the F1 weekend in Spa last year, yet lucrative money-spinning deals with new tracks including Las Vegas and Miami in the expanding US market are choking an already congested calendar. Indeed, the move to three races in the States came before the release of the new F1 movie. The film, produced by Apple and starring Brad Pitt, broke box office records as it grossed $463million worldwide on a reported budget of $200-$300m. Spa is a traditional track, but a fair share of the latest generation of fans following the success of Netflix 's Drive To Survive series and any more after the film tend to be more ensnared by the spectacle of the host tracks. Monaco has suffered the opposite issue to Spa, being a place where the race result is all but decided by Saturday's qualifying due to a lack of overtaking opportunities, but with the glamour to justify its continued existence. The real question for all parties in the coming years is whether F1 is really willing to abandon what made it the most popular motorsport in the world, the racing, in favour of money-spinning events catered for celebs and social media stars. In many ways it could be argued that it represents a battle for the soul of the sport, and some tough debate could be in line for CEO Stefano Domenicali in the future. F1 returns to Spa this weekend after a two-week break in the 2025 season, with the backdrop of Christian Horner 's abrupt Red Bull exit sure to make headlines before any cars even hit the track. 5
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Max Verstappen issues statement ahead of Belgian GP as new Red Bull F1 boss faces debut
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing head into the Belgian Grand Prix without Christian Horner steering the ship for the first time ever, as new boss Laurent Mekies makes his competitive debut in the role Max Verstappen says he is looking forward to striking up a close working relationship with new boss Laurent Mekies. The Dutchman was speaking ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, the first race since the bombshell news of Christian Horner being removed from his positions as team principal and CEO. The Spa-Francorchamps race is always a milestone moment for Verstappen, who is half-Belgian and sees it as one of his two home races alongside the Dutch Grand Prix. And he will be hoping to get back to winning ways at a venue which means to much to him on a personal level. But he must do so after two weeks of significant upheaval which saw Horner ousted and also plenty of intense speculation about his own future. But for now he will, like his colleagues, adjust to life under new boss Laurent Mekies, who was called up from sister team Racing Bulls to take on the top job. "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team," said Verstappen as he previewed the trip to the Ardennes Forest. "I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent." He added: "Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar, a very old school circuit where you have to do everything right to get a good lap. I enjoy the high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge, the layout which is different to other circuits and elevation changes that make the track more of a challenge to drive." Claims that Verstappen could hold a press conference in Belgium this weekend to make an announcement about his future are understood to be unfounded. But he continues to be strongly linked with a switch to Mercedes. In the immediate future, though, he and team-mate Yuki Tsunoda will get a first taste of life under a new boss in Belgium. The latter in particular will be hoping that Mekies' methods can help inspire a change in his fortunes on track, having scored just seven points since be was elevated to the seat in April. "We are coming into this race in a new era for the team and it will be good to link up again with Laurent," Tsunoda said of his former Racing Bulls boss. "We worked really well together at Racing Bulls. I know how he likes to work and our full focus is on pushing forward and for me personally to start delivering the performance we need. "Spa is a fun circuit and one that could suit us well. The Sprint always makes things tricky but the work and preparation we have done in this off time should set us up nicely. "I have spent the time off racing mixed between training very hard and using the break to mentally reset. I wanted to be the best prepared I could be coming into Spa and in better condition, mentally and physically. I am feeling strong and sharp and looking forward to these next two races before summer break."
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Circuit Zandvoort chiefs issue statement as storm causes floods weeks before F1 Dutch GP
The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled for the weekend of August 31 and so alarms were raised when images emerged on social media appearing to show damage to the circuit Circuit Zandvoort chiefs have moved to ease fears over suspected damage to the track just weeks before the Dutch Grand Prix. That's after concerned Formula 1 fans shared images of part of the circuit covered in water and mud after storms in the area this week. One particularly worrying photo taken at the final corner of the coastal track showed a channel of water crossing the circuit. It initially appeared as though the current might have caused some damage to the asphalt, while there was also a significant amount of mud on and near to the track. But circuit bosses have eased concerns over the state of the venue just weeks out from the visit of the F1 circus. "Yesterday's heavy rain sparked some fake news about damage to the circuit," a statement read. "Early this morning our team inspected the entire layout and found no damage, no delays. The surface is dry, clean, and 100 percent race-ready. In fact, since this morning, the F1 Academy has been out on track for their scheduled practice sessions without any issues. All sessions are running exactly as planned. See you at the circuit!" As alluded to in that statement, F1 Academy was scheduled this week to take part in testing at the Dutch circuit. And livestream cameras accessible through the venue's website showed that cars were able to head out on track as planned on Tuesday. The good news will be a relief to the promoter of the Dutch Grand Prix which is in the midst of organising the final touches of what is set to be the penultimate F1 event at the historic circuit. It was announced late last year that Zandvoort will drop off the sport's annual even calendar after the 2026 season. That was a decision, F1 said, taken by the promoters themselves rather than an enforced departure. Robert van Overdijk, director of the Dutch Grand Prix, said of the call: "We are a privately owned and operated business, and we must balance the opportunities presented by continuing to host the event, against other risks and responsibilities. "We have decided to go out on a high with two more incredible Dutch Grands Prix in 2025 and 2026. We wanted to take this step, while our event is adored and supported by passionate fans, residents, and the Formula 1 community. "I want to thank [F1 chief executive] Stefano Domenicali and all the team at Formula 1 for the hard work that has seen multiple contract extensions realised and the Dutch Grand Prix be such a success." It means Max Verstappen will no longer have a home race to look forward to each year after the 2026 campaign. Reacting to the news of its impending exit, the Dutchman said he was "sad" about its disappearance but "proud of what they have done".
