F1 could double Sprint races and add new Grand Prix as CEO opens up on future plans
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has shed new light on the sport's future plans.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali admitted there could be as many as 12 Sprint races held next year, based on "feedback from the fans". The Italian also teased that confirmation of an old venue coming back to the sport may come soon – but insisted there is no plan to go beyond the 24 events that are currently held per season.
The 2026 calendar is set in stone, with six Sprint races to come, as was the case in the 2025 campaign, and one addition to the grid in the form of a new event in Madrid. The semi-permanent street track, which is still under construction, will assume the Spanish Grand Prix moniker with Spain's current event in Montmelo set to be known as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
The Barcelona event will also no longer be a permanent fixture on the calendar after this year, following confirmation of a contract extension which will see it held only biannually between 2028 and 2032. It will alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix, another historic and beloved track in the form of the Spa-Francorchamps also losing its annual status.
Domenicali has now confirmed that "other alternations are possible in the future", with the Portuguese Grand Prix already confirmed as returning in 2027 and the strong possibility that the Turkish Grand Prix could also be making a comeback. Domenicali told reporters, including Express Sport, to "stay tuned" as a deal for the Istanbul Park circuit to return to F1 "is not 100 percent confirmed".
But he confirmed that additions to the calendar will not lead to a longer season, telling journalists: "The new ones that are coming are [permanent] tracks and not street races. Stay tuned on Turkey, but Portugal is definitely there [at Portimao], Madrid is a semi-permanent track that is working to be ready this year. Other alternations are possible in the future, but we want to stick with the number [24 races]."
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F1 is keen to add another Asian race to its porfolio, and also secure a long-awaited return to Africa after more than 30 years away. But the likes of Thailand and South Korea are several years away from being ready, while talks with South Africa and Rwanda are yet to give F1 chiefs any confidence that there is yet scope for a sustainable event on the continent.
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Domenicali confirmed more short-term deals with European circuits could come in the meantime, to fill gaps until bigger, longer-term projects are ready to go. He said: "Building something from zero requires the right time. I would say these things can happen [from] 2029, because we have other expirations of contracts, so there is an evolving situation."
But up to 12 Sprint races per year could be arriving a lot sooner, as Domenicali added: "The reason why we started to discuss the number of sprints and maybe some different format is because of the feedback we received from the fans, the promoters, that people want to see real action during the three days. Already on Friday, people want to see something sporting – qualifying or whatever it is.
"Even if it is not a Sprint weekend, there is a trend of [wanting to have] something different. We're thinking to keep every day we are on track relevant."
