Rumors about a possible Formula 1 GP in Assen in 2027 have lost strength. According to information from GPblog, the Dutch circuit is not being considered by FOM to replace a round, should changes to next year’s calendar be necessary.
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This week the F1 calendar for 2027 was presented, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi kept on the schedule. Behind the scenes, however, alternatives have been discussed given the still complicated situation in the Middle East, and European circuits such as Imola, Barcelona, and Assen were even mentioned.
During the weekend in Madrid, Assen appeared among the possibilities raised in the paddock to occupy a possible spot. The circuit, however, currently does not have the FIA Grade 1 license required to host a Formula 1 race. GPblog consulted the TT Circuit Assen and received information that FOM does not consider it, at this moment, as an alternative for 2027.
According to the information, Assen had already discussed different scenarios with F1 previously. From these conversations, the circuit understood that Western Europe was not being considered as an alternative, despite the different signals circulating in the paddock.
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The management of the Assen circuit itself evaluated, at the beginning of this year, what changes would be necessary to obtain the Grade 1 license. The circuit director, Mark van Aalderen, confirmed that the administration had requested an assessment from the FIA of the necessary modifications, and sought advice from Hermann Tilke (famous circuit designer) to understand the required investments.
This analysis aimed to prepare the circuit for a concrete eventual opportunity, but any GP would depend on an external promoter for organization and financing. Later, it became clear that there was no prospect of a permanent spot on the calendar until 2030, while chances for the following period were also considered small. Therefore, the management and the board decided not to make the millions of euros in investments necessary to obtain the license.
Thus, Assen currently does not have the necessary certification to host a Formula 1 round, and both a permanent entry and the possibility of replacing a race in 2027 are out of the plans, at least for now.
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