Another US GP on the way? 'F1 registers new Grand Prix name'

In recent years, Formula 1 has made no secret of its desire to continue expanding in the United States. There are now three US F1 races on the calendar, but there could well be one more: the Chicago Grand Prix.

Building on the success of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, F1 has increased its presence in the US in recent seasons. It was already racing at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. In 2022 F1 added the Miami GP and in 2023 Las Vegas was also added to the calendar.

F1 to Chicago?

However, it is quite possible that it will not stop at three US races. Formula One Licensing BV, a Netherlands-based organisation that is part of Formula One Holdings and responsible for registering trademarks and logos, recently applied for the following trademarks from the United States Patent and Trademark Office:

Grand Prix of Chicago

Formula 1 Grand Prix of Chicago

Chicago Grand Prix

Formula 1 Chicago Grand Prix

It may just be a way of protecting the names in case there is ever a GP in Chicago, as there are no indications yet that the race will actually happen. At the same time, Formula 1 seems intent on increasing the number of street circuits on its calendar, with the Madrid GP from 2026 the latest addition. Moreover, NASCAR raced through the streets of Chicago for the first time last year with the Grant Park 165, which was a great success.