Lewis Hamilton Calls Out F1 for Replacing Classic Circuits with ‘Worse’ New Ones

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has called out the sport for replacing “classic” F1 circuits with new ones, “90 percent” of which are “worse.”

New venues are being added to the calendar to meet the increasing demand for F1. However, with 24 races being the operational ceiling for the sport at present, old circuits will have to be dropped to make way for new ones.

While a rotational system for several European circuits has been planned to ensure they remain a part of F1, classic circuits, such as Imola, have been dropped from the 2026 F1 calendar to make way for a Grand Prix in Madrid. In addition, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s contract expires after the race next year, raising questions about its long-term future in the sport.

Hamilton admitted that losing the Barcelona circuit would be a shame. He said:

“I think ultimately losing any of the classics, and this is one of the classics, I think would be a shame, because as I said, it’s a great city.

“There’s a great following here in Spain, particularly since Fernando [Alonso] was here. As long as we have a race in Spain, that’s what matters most.

“This feels like the home of Formula 1 in Spain. But it’s okay to progress as a sport, and I know Madrid, as I said, is a great location.”

The 44-year-old driver revealed his preference for older circuits, which are better to race on than most new ones that don’t meet his expectations. He added:

“As long as they build a good circuit, which I’m less hopeful for – building new circuits is very, very hit and miss. 90 plus per cent of the time, it’s worse.

“As long as it’s a better circuit, or as good a circuit, I’m not bothered either way.”

The dropping of Italy’s Imola circuit from the calendar raised eyebrows, particularly since the circuit had allocated funds for the 2026 round, as reported by Newsweek Sports. However, Imola Mayor Marco Panieri has confirmed that efforts will be made to regain its lost spot in F1. He said:

“This is not the time for controversy, buck-passing and resignation. Now is the time for everyone to take responsibility and resume discussions for a return to the calendar. This is why in recent days, since May 26, we have asked the Government and the sports authority for an Institutional Round Table to precisely examine the terms and methods of support and joint work to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix back to Imola.

“To those who live and love Imola, Emilia-Romagna and this Grand Prix, we say that in a moment in which it would be easy to give in to useless polemics and disappointment, it is instead the time for tenacity and increasingly constructive commitment from everyone. The game does not end here and up until now we have done things that only a few years ago seemed impossible.

“We continue to believe in it, with conviction and clarity, with the pride of a territory that, together with other institutional partners, has demonstrated its ability to dream big and concretely build opportunities.”