Fans are excited about the idea of a fourth U.S. F1 track, this time in the most populous city in the Midwest. This is because many trademarks have been filed for different possible naming structures for a Chicago F1 race.
A Chicago circuit hasn’t been talked about or stated in public, but these trademark filings are important first steps before any announcements are made. While this could mean a new race is on the way, F1 applied for trademarks for the New York, Miami, and Las Vegas Grands Prix in 2017. However, only two of those towns hosted races last season, so it could go either way.
According to the Drive, the copyright applications listed four possible names for the race: “Formula 1 Chicago Grand Prix,” “Grand Prix of Chicago,” “Formula 1 Grand Prix of Chicago,” and “Chicago Grand Prix.”
If there is a Chicago Grand Prix, it won’t happen until 2025 at the absolute earliest, as the 2024 season calendar is already set. If it does happen, it will be interesting to see if F1 replaces one of the existing United States races—there are currently the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the Miami Grand Prix—or if Chicago would be added to the calendar. The latter would give the U.S. four different F1 races, by far and away more than any other country.
F1 has shown interest in The Windy City before, though, when it set up a little popup circuit with Red Bull. However, there haven’t even been any public discussions between F1 and the city of Chicago, so at least for the moment, this is just a preemptive trademark filing. This also wouldn’t be the first street race through Chicago, as NASCAR held one last year and will be doing so again in 2024.
This news doesn’t mean that the resurgence of F1 will come to The Windy City, but it is an exciting possibility that would make Midwesterners happy, especially since it would be close enough to drive to Detroit, which is known as the “crucible of cars” in the United States. There should be a Chicago Grand Prix, but not in the middle of winter or during the sweltering summers in Chicago. It would be a great addition to the worldwide excitement of Formula 1 racing. Also, please close off or weld down the sewer covers if the Chicago Grand Prix does happen.
