The real Formula One schedule has several flaws: Too many GPs in the Middle East, too few in historic racing countries, and an unsustainable travel structure.
Here’s my proposition of an improved calendar – changing some tracks and making it more viable structurally, and only using venues where F1 can realistically race.
I’m using projected dates in 2027 as an example of how it could be scheduled.
Round 1: Australia
Track: Albert Park
Projected date: March 14
Everyone loves the fact that the season starts in Australia. Melbourne is also a decent track, especially after recent changes, and there’s a great vibe there. The perfect opener.
Round 2: Malaysia
Track: Sepang
Projected date: March 21
Malaysia was the typical follow-up to Australia in the 00’s. Now that we have Sepang returning to the calendar in 2026, it could easily become a permanent feature. Excellent track with good overtaking possibilities. F1 could capitalise on early year interest by starting the season off with a double-header.
Round 3: China
Track: Shanghai
Projected date: April 4
Another excellent track designed by Hermann Tilke. China is a massive country that needs a yearly race, and there’s no better slot in the schedule than early in the year.
Round 4: Bahrain
Track: Sakhir
Projected date: April 18
The best – and oldest – track in the Middle East. We can keep this one and drop the rest. It’s a proper driver’s track with several great corners, and it can have the unique feature of a twilight race.
Portugal (Portimão) will be on standby to fill in if there are issues in the Middle East.
Round 5: Spain
Track: Catalunya
Projected date: May 9
F1 finally arrives in Europe. Catalunya is an okay track – we’ll use it for now – but the GP could possibly be moved back to Jerez, with some upgrades to that track. The Madrid street track seems to be a bad idea, so let’s just drop it immediately.
Round 6: Monaco
Track: Monte Carlo
Projected date: May 16
The jewel of the calendar. F1 goes to Monaco immediately after the race in Spain, as the distance is short. Some newer fans want the Monaco street race to be dropped from the calendar since the race is boring. But it’s too iconic to ever get dropped: Work on some minor changes to the track instead.
Round 7: European GP
Track: Imola
Projected date: May 23
Along with Spain and Monaco, Imola is slotted into the month of May, creating a triple header. The distance between the three tracks is small. Since another Italian race is coming later in the year at Monza, we’ll call this the “European Grand Prix”. Italy has enough of a fan base to warrant two races, with Ferrari and Antonelli. It’s also an easy location for other European fans to reach.
Round 8: Canada
Track: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Projected date: June 6
Two weeks later, F1 crosses the pond. The excellent track in Montreal should always be on the calendar, and preferably in June where conditions are warm, but with a chance of rain.
Round 9: North America
Track: Road America
Projected date: June 13
Just a week later, we’ll have a race in the US. Instead of the dumb street tracks in Miami and Vegas, F1 should arrange a GP at a classic track. It could be at Road America, Watkins Glen, or perhaps Laguna Seca. We’ll call it the “North American Grand Prix” as the US GP comes later in the year.
Round 10: Great Britain
Track: Silverstone
Projected date: June 27
Many European races are held in the summer, and it all starts at Silverstone, one of the best races of the year. This is a staple on the calendar, and end-June is the perfect time of the year.
Round 11: Netherlands
Track: Zandvoort
Projected date: July 11
The tour through the EU’s heartland begins. Teams can easily ship parts in from the UK to the Netherlands. As long as Verstappen is driving, it makes sense to race in Holland, and the track is decent.
It will be the first race of a triple-header, giving European fans plenty of action in peak summer.
Round 12: Belgium
Track: Spa-Francorchamps
Projected date: July 18
Belgium is moved to July rather than the classic time in August, as July is better in terms of weather. The distance from Zandvoort to Spa is fairly short, allowing for teams and travelling fans to schedule the July races with ease.
Another benefit of placing Zandvoort and Spa close is that the tracks have quite different features. We could see wildly different results from one week to the next, even without any teams bringing upgrades.
Round 13: Germany
Track: Nürburgring
Projected date: July 25
A country like Germany should always have a race. Nürburgring is arguably the best place, although it could also be Hockenheim. Another classic track added in a country with a great history in motorsport. We place it right after Belgium since the distance is super short.
— Summer break —
Round 14: Austria
Track: Red Bull Ring
Projected date: August 22
After a four-week break, we return to more action in Europe. Austria has a great track, and with backing from Red Bull and excellent weather in August, this is a no-brainer.
Round 15: Hungary
Track: Hungaroring
Projected date: August 29
Short distance between Austria and Hungary. This allows fans to buy tickets for two races in a row, and for the trucks to move everything in just a day. For those reasons, it’s a double-header.
Round 16: Turkey
Track: Istanbul Park
Projected date: September 12
Istanbul in early September should be warm, but not overly hot. It would be a challenging race at one of the world’s best circuits. Istanbul is a track for aggressive drivers, so we need it on the calendar. It can attract fans from Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East.
Round 17: France
Track: TBD
Projected date: September 26
It would be fun to recreate the classic high-speed track at Reims-Gueux. It would be something new. France is a country that needs a race due to its massive history and influence in motorsport. The climate is good enough to have a race in September, with a solid chance of being a wet-weather race.
Alternatively, the French GP could take place at either Le Mans, Magny-Cours or Paul Ricard.
Round 18: Italy
Track: Monza
Projected date: October 3
The final race in Europe. We end it on a high – in front of the passionate Tifosi in North Italy. It could realistically be a double-header with France. It just makes sense to have Monza as the final European round.
Round 19: Singapore
Track: Marina Bay
Projected date: October 24
Singapore is the only night race of the calendar – a true novelty – and we’ll schedule it three weeks after Monza, so that the teams have enough time to bring in some upgrades for the crucial final rounds of the year. It also gives the drivers enough time to prepare their Circadian rhythms for the most difficult weekend of the year.
Round 20: Japan
Track: Suzuka
Projected date: October 31
It just doesn’t feel right to have Suzuka early in the year. Let’s bring it back to the autumn for added drama and have it around Halloween. The atmosphere would be intense.
Round 21: United States
Track: Austin
Projected date: November 14
Austin is a great racetrack and a modern-day classic. The perfect setting for the US Grand Prix. The climate in Texas is ideal for a race in late October / early November. Sadly, the drivers will only have one night to party in the US, as the F1 circus immediately travels to…
Round 22: Mexico
Track: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Projected date: November 21
The track isn’t the best, but the atmosphere is great. Mexico has a huge population and many fans. It’s also easy to get there from the US, allowing for a double-header to be arrange in the busy final part of the year.
Round 23: Argentina
Track: TBD
Projected date: December 5
A Franco Colapinto roadshow drew a crowd of a half million. Argentina also has a great history in racing, with Fangio being an absolute icon. There could easily be a race there. It could be a street track in Buenos Aires, or the old Gálvez track could be upgraded. A race here would be great, and it could be paired with Brazil during the southern hemisphere’s late spring.
Round 24: Brazil
Track: São Paulo
Projected date: December 12
Brazil hosted some epic season finals in 2008 and 2012. It’s generally just an incredible track. Most fans would support having the deciding race here, although it might not be too pleasant for the teams. Finishing the season in mid-December is late, but if the calendar must have 24 races with a long summer break along the way, there’s no realistic way to avoid it. For us fans, it means action for most of the year, so it can also be seen as an advantage.
