The direction taken by the new era of Formula 1 is beginning to worry both fans and drivers who feel deeply connected to the sport’s rich history and heritage.
The foundations that built the Formula 1 we all love are gradually disappearing. The new 2026 regulations have already shaken the passion of supporters and even of the drivers themselves for this sport. With yesterday’s announcement that the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will remain on the calendar only on a rotational basis—just like Spa-Francorchamps—enthusiasm for the coming seasons continues to decline. Numerous decisions taken by the FIA together with Liberty Media appear to be moving in a direction that increasingly rewards commercial logic over the raw passion that has always defined motorsport.
The circuits in rotation and those excluded from the 2027 season
The current year will be the last opportunity to see several historic venues on the Formula 1 calendar in their traditional form. Although Monaco has renewed its contract until 2035 to secure its permanent place each season, many other iconic circuits will alternate or disappear altogether from 2027 onward. Legendary venues such as Montmeló and Spa will rotate between seasons starting next year: 2027, 2029 and 2031 for the Belgian track, and 2028, 2030 and 2032 for the Spanish circuit. Two genuine pieces of Formula 1 history will therefore step aside cyclically to make room for less characterful street layouts such as the brand-new Madring.
In addition, 2026 will also mark the final season of Formula 1 at Zandvoort. The Dutch circuit, widely loved by drivers and fans despite offering limited overtaking opportunities, will leave the championship. Last year was particularly painful for Italian supporters, with Imola saying farewell to the calendar ahead of the season that begins on March 6 in Melbourne. These are tracks that tell stories, that have shaped eras, and that are fully worthy of a place on the Formula 1 schedule—especially considering how much drivers themselves enjoy racing on them. Max Verstappen stated last year that the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari was among his favorite circuits on the 2025 calendar. In short, there have been many goodbyes and many sacrifices, driven primarily by economic considerations that now outweigh historical legacy.
Efforts by the FIA to preserve exciting layouts are visible in announcements such as last December’s confirmation of Portimão returning for the 2027–2028 seasons. A track described as a “roller coaster” by anyone who has raced there, it features dramatic elevation changes and spectacular corners that Formula 1 last experienced in 2021. However, it remains a circuit with limited historical ties to the pinnacle of motorsport and is far more associated with two-wheel racing. While it is certainly a welcome addition to the 2027 calendar, it represents only a small grain of sand on a beach increasingly shaped by rotation policies and the loss of former classics such as Imola and Zandvoort.
The new regulations may limit the damage, but repairing it will be difficult
The new 2026 Formula 1 cars are among the most unpredictable machines seen in recent years. After the shakedown in Barcelona and the first three official days of testing in Bahrain, the competitive order remains extremely difficult to assess.
Certainties are limited, yet some objective elements have already emerged, including significant changes in overtaking dynamics. The electric component of the power unit will play an even more decisive role from this season onward, allowing drivers to deploy power more instantly and reach higher top speeds on the straights, albeit at the cost of slower cornering performance.
This philosophy marks a clear break from the ground-effect era of recent seasons, which was heavily criticized for the difficulty of executing overtakes and for producing races that sometimes appeared processional and lacking excitement. The regulatory shift could lead to overtaking moves in unexpected sections of the track—areas where, until a few years ago, no one would have anticipated meaningful passing opportunities. Increased on-track action could add value to circuits that are currently less appreciated, particularly certain street venues that have become fixtures of the modern calendar.
The start of the championship will therefore be a crucial moment in determining whether the path chosen by Formula 1 is the right one or fundamentally flawed. One thing, however, is certain: without the historic circuits previously mentioned featuring consistently in future calendars, the passion that fuels this sport risks fading further with each passing season.
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