Formula 1 circuit predicted to ‘top’ every street track on the calendar is now ‘on pause’

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The Formula 1 calendar is getting a refresh in 2026 and 2027, but the changes might not stop there.

Next season, the Madrid Grand Prix will make its Formula 1 debut, but will be known as the Spanish Grand Prix moving forward.

That’s because the race in Barcelona will be sharing hosting duties with Spa all the way up to 2032.

On top of this, Portimao will begin hosting F1 races again in 2027 to add a further European circuit to the schedule.

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However, Formula 1 have always made it clear that they want to expand the sport’s reach globally.

There are now three races in the United States, and several countries, including Argentina and South Africa, have shown a great interest in hosting a race again.

However, Karun Chandhok has provided an update on the status of the prospective Thailand Grand Prix, which doesn’t look as close to being added to the calendar as before.

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Thailand Grand Prix ‘slightly on pause’ as Alex Albon predicts it to ‘top’ F1 street circuits

Chandhok has been involved in designing race tracks for some time now, and asked about his role in a street circuit heading to Bangkok on The Fast and The Curious podcast. He said: “So, we were involved with Thailand, and the developments going on there, which is slightly on pause because they’ve had changes of government and things like that.

“So, that’s slightly on pause.”

In an interview with Speedcafe, Albon, who races under a Thai flag, said about Formula 1 potentially heading to Thailand: “I wouldn’t say I had a say in the design of it, but they brought me in in terms of what they were doing to it, and I saw the early stages and where they are at and what they released on social media.

“I think as a street track goes, it’s one of the better ones, that’s for sure. I think, you know, as drivers, I think it’s fair to say we like the road tracks.

“But I think the track layout that Thailand has presented is a great kind of middle ground where you’re getting these flowing corners.

What one change would you make to the F1 calendar with the Portuguese Grand Prix returning?

F1 will return to Portimao in 2027 and 2028!

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“If you look at the layout, there’s a lot of opportunity to do different lines, and that’s the secret to good racing. You know, getting cars off line and getting clean air in different places. So I’m all for it.”

When asked about whether Thailand will be a good destination for Formula 1, Albon added: “Obviously, I’m going to be biased in my answer, but I think Thailand’s a great place. Great country. Great people.

“I feel like, in many ways, I’d love to introduce the other drivers to Thai culture, and I think everyone would love the race. So I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.

“If you look at the last few city tracks that have come away from Formula 1, I think it tops all of them.

“It’s a layout and a place I think drivers will really enjoy, and a country I hope we can all experience properly when it happens.”

READ MORE: Williams star Alex Albon’s life outside F1 with net worth, girlfriend to parents

Stefano Domenicali’s Formula 1 street circuit promise after Portimao announcement

There has been a shift in recent years to Formula 1 racing on more street circuits.

Recent additions in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Las Vegas, and even going back to Azerbaijan and Singapore are all narrow, urban tracks.

While many of these are high speed, that doesn’t necessarily make overtaking any easier.

However, Stefano Domenicali ruled out a 100% street track calendar, and the reemergence of Portimao alongside the rotation of Spa and Barcelona suggests he’s sticking to his word.

If Thailand can move closer to hosting a race, then that will add another street circuit to the list, but with the calendar unlikely to expand beyond 24 races, it could end up replacing another city track in the process.