F1 Today: Assen pours cold water on F1 rumours as Audi gets new F1-ready option

A Formula 1 race at Assen in 2027 currently appears to be an unlikely prospect, despite recent paddock speculation linking the Dutch venue with a possible place on the calendar if any of the Middle Eastern rounds cannot go ahead.

The 2027 calendar was officially presented earlier this week and features four races in the Middle East, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi all retaining their places. Although Formula One Management is publicly sticking to that schedule, alternative scenarios have been discussed behind the scenes in case circumstances in the region force changes.

However, following enquiries by GPblog, TT Circuit Assen indicated that it does not believe it is currently under consideration as a potential replacement venue. Previous discussions between the circuit and Formula 1 had touched on possible alternatives, but Assen's understanding from those conversations was that Western Europe was not being looked at as a solution.

That picture differs from some of the suggestions emerging from within the paddock. FOM has not confirmed Assen, or any other Western European circuit, as a possible substitute and, for now, continues to work on the basis that the 2027 calendar will take place as announced. It also remains uncertain whether Assen itself would be prepared to step in and host a Grand Prix if a vacancy were to emerge.

Audi now has another potential option to call upon should Nico Hülkenberg or Gabriel Bortoleto become unavailable during a Grand Prix weekend, with Freddie Slater now eligible to race in Formula 1.

The Briton narrowly missed out on the Formula 3 title following a difficult season finale in Madrid, finishing runner-up to Ugo Ugochukwu. Although that brought his run of consecutive feeder-series titles to an end, second place provided Slater with enough points to qualify for a super licence.

Having also recently turned 18, Slater now meets the requirements needed to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. However, that does not necessarily mean Audi would immediately turn to the youngster if it needed a replacement driver. Slater has yet to complete a Test of Previous Cars programme or make an FP1 appearance, while stepping directly from Formula 3 into F1 would represent a significant jump.

Audi is therefore expected to continue preparing Slater gradually over the coming months, with the team viewing him as a driver with considerable potential. No decision has yet been made on whether he will receive an FP1 outing before the end of the season. Audi still has two mandatory rookie FP1 appearances to complete and could once again turn to Aron for those sessions. However, the German manufacturer has not yet submitted a request to Alpine to secure his services.