Four countries open their doors to a Formula 1 return in the future

With the surge in popularity that Formula 1 has seen over the past few years, the sport has been expanding out into new countries to bring in new fans from all across the globe. 

With that expansion, whether for better or for worse this means that the race calendar gets longer and longer each year. A normal Formula 1 race calendar used to consist of between 18 to 20 races. However, the 2024 calendar consists of 24 races with the potential to get even longer. 

Some believe that more than 24 races may be too many for the drivers and teams to handle, but with the popularity of the sport still growing worldwide, expansion into new markets undoubtedly remains a major possibility.

In recent days there have been reports that four countries, that have all hosted Formula 1 in the past are opening their doors for the sport's return. South Korea, Germany, Turkiye and South Africa are all looking to reclaim a spot on the Formula 1 calendar sometime in the near future. 

Tracks such as China, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mexico, Monaco, as well as both Italian races are out of contract in 2025, and with a new Madrid street circuit confirmed to be coming in 2026, it would not be surprising if one or more of these tracks loses their spot on the calendar. 

All of these countries looking to rejoin the calendar are no strangers to Formula 1. South Korea played host to the Korean Grand Prix from 2010 to 2013 with all of those races taking place at the Korea International Circuit, a purpose-built track in Yeongam. South Korea's new pitch to rejoin the calendar would see a new track come into play, a new street circuit in the city of Incheon. 

A return to Germany would receive a warm welcome from Formula 1 fans. Germany last played host to F1 in 2019 at the famous Hockenheimring, a track rich in F1 heritage. A return to Turkiye would also be a nice sight for some of the newer Formula 1 fans. Istanbul Park last hosted F1 in 2021, the race where Lewis Hamilton won his historic seventh world championship equaling Michael Schumacher's record.

Of all the countries looking to rejoin the calendar, South Africa has the longest absence from the sport. Last hosting a race in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit, a return would the African continent would be a great sight to see for long-time Formula 1 fans.

It remains to be seen if any of these countries will be successful in their attempts to rejoin the F1 calendar, however for long-time fans it would be nice to see some tracks rich in heritage return to the sport after such long absences.