More clarity on possibility of F1 race in Assen after persistent rumors

Formula 1 presented its calendar for the 2027 season earlier this week, but behind the scenes, changes are being considered should the situation in the Middle East continue to warrant them. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are all on the calendar. Publicly, FOM is sticking to the announced schedule, while various alternatives are being discussed within the sport.

This site previously reported that additional races in Europe are also being considered. Imola and Barcelona are among the names mentioned. During the race weekend in Madrid, Assen was also brought up in the paddock as a circuit that could fill a vacant slot. However, that would require a Grade 1 license, which the circuit does not currently have.

GPblog made inquiries with TT Circuit Assen and learned that Assen is currently not being considered by FOM as an option for a potential replacement for 2027.

The various scenarios and alternatives were discussed in earlier conversations between Assen and F1. From those talks, the TT Circuit understood that Western Europe is not being considered as an alternative at all, even though different signals are being heard in the paddock.

FOM has not confirmed that Assen or other circuits in Western Europe are being considered and is, for the time being, proceeding with the communicated calendar for next year, including the races in the Middle East. Whether the TT Circuit itself would be open to hosting a Formula 1 race if it were approached for a vacant slot remains unclear for now.

TT Circuit Assen looked into what would be required to make the circuit suitable for Formula 1 earlier this year. During the TT weekend, circuit director Mark van Aalderen confirmed to GPblog that they had requested from the FIA which modifications would be needed for a Grade 1 license. That license is mandatory for circuits that to host a Formula 1 race.

For that assessment, the TT Circuit sought advice from Hermann Tilke, among others. Assen wanted to understand what investments would be required to meet FIA standards so that the circuit could be prepared should a concrete opportunity for a Grand Prix arise. Any potential race would have to be organised and financed by an external promoter.

It later became clear that there was no prospect through 2030 of a permanent place on the F1 calendar, and that the chances for the period thereafter were also slim. Management and the board then decided to forego the multimillion-euro investments required to obtain the Grade 1 license.

As such, Assen currently does not hold the necessary licence to host a Grand Prix, even though it would be particularly suitable thanks to its excellent infrastructure and the relatively minor adjustments the circuit would need to make. For now, however, neither the scenario of becoming a permanent race nor that of serving as a potential replacement is on the table.