F1 Rumors: Chicago Poses Challenge to New York Weeks after Rumors of 4th F1 Race in The U.S.

If it wasn’t evident enough already, Formula 1 has become extremely popular among the American audience. It is partly due to the American ownership and partly due to Netflix’s Drive to Survive. This has been made evident with the increasing number of races and races in the U.S. alone. So far we are at three. However, rumors of a fourth race in New York started making rounds a few months ago. Now we have another city challenging for a spot on the calendar.

Formula 1 is a global sport with the circus captivating and circling the entire globe. However, because of F1’s high demand on the American sub-continent, the calendar featured three races for the first time in 2023. However, this is just the beginning and all signs point towards that.

The sport owners slowly but surely plan to introduce another race in their home of vast lands. The rumors are the sport is planning to host 30 races by 2030, of which five races will be in the United States. New York is rumored to join the existing three races. Now we have proof that Chicago might also be a potential Formula 1 racing ground.

F1 has registered several trademarks hinting at a race in Chicago, Illinois. The application at the trademark registrar’s office highlights terms like “GRAND PRIX OF CHICAGO”, “FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX OF CHICAGO”, “CHICAGO GRAND PRIX”, and “FORMULA 1 CHICAGO GRAND PRIX”.

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These background activities show a clear intention from Formula 1 to add Chicago to the list, with New York already on the list. However, if 0vercrowding becomes an issue, Chicago might pose a threat to New York and challenge the Big Apple for hosting rights.

There might be a completely different challenge on F1’s hands as well with the increasing demand and their desire to deliver.

Will the increasing number of US-based GPs like Chicago and Las Vegas backfire?

It might not be because of F1’s inclination toward the US but their desire to fit more races in a season that will backfire. The skyrocketing popularity of the sport has made hosting an F1 race an extremely lucrative affair. Just look at the estimated numbers from the new venue in Madrid.

However, in attempts to fulfill these demands and desires, the sport will become less appealing to the drivers. Max Verstappen has already communicated his desire to retire early and said, “We could have already today more than 30, even 32 Grands Prix because everyone wants one. Naturally, of course, I hope that there won’t be too many changes, otherwise, I won’t be around for too long,” and he’s not alone.

Fernando Alonso confessed the most likely cause for his retirement would be exhaustion from the increasing number of races each year. He stated, “But it could be that with the calendar and with the demanding schedule and things like that one day, I will feel that it’s time. Because there are other things in life.”

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So even though a race in New York and Chicago sounds exciting, it might do more bad than good for the sport’s future and its relationship with the drivers.