Formula 1 says prospective host cities must present financially sustainable, long-term plans before it will add new races and has dismissed premature claims of confirmed events in India, South Africa and Argentina.
Indian officials' comments that F1 would return in 2027 were reportedly news to F1 management and were swiftly dismissed, while similar announcements have emerged from South Africa. Buenos Aires is prioritising a renovated Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez for MotoGP and Argentina's interest has been boosted by driver Franco Colapinto, but a local driver alone is not a guarantee of an F1 return.
F1's commercial owner Liberty Media has shifted toward very long-term deals to secure revenue and justify infrastructure investment, with much of the calendar contracted through at least 2032 and Austria's Red Bull Ring extended to 2041. Melbourne, Madrid, Bahrain and Montreal are also secured for at least another decade, limiting available slots for new markets.
F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali said organisers must show a multi-year vision, a viable fan base and commercial plan before the sport will commit to a race. Domenicali emphasised the need for proof that a market can sustain F1 beyond a single peak year.
This article is based on reporting from Motorsport.
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