A project for a new F1 track has been presented in South Korea.

      Interest in Formula 1 is once again growing in South Korea, and negotiations with the organizers of the World Championship are reportedly already underway, aiming for the year 2028. This was confirmed yesterday by the authorities of Incheon – the third largest city in the country by population after Seoul and Busan. This port city, located on the shores of the Yellow Sea, is home to over three million people, and Incheon Airport is the largest in South Korea.

      Discussions about wanting to bring back the national Grand Prix, which took place here from 2010 to 2013, began as early as 2024, but at that time, it was not possible to secure support from private investors. Apparently, another attempt is being made now, and on Friday, a project for a 5-kilometer city circuit was presented – according to Yoo Young-bok, the mayor of Incheon, the new project could be economically justified.

      South Korea remembers the lessons of the past, as after four races, the Grand Prix at the Yeongam circuit had to be abandoned due to high costs against the backdrop of low local interest in Formula 1. However, according to the authorities of Incheon, the situation has changed now, and the new city race could attract an audience of 400,000 spectators over the weekend.

      "It is quite possible to link the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is transforming into a kind of entertainment, with the fashion for K-pop," believes Yoo Young-bok, referring to the mass fascination with this Korean music subculture, which has millions of fans globally. "We plan to organize a diverse cultural program, invite world-famous artists, and bring Incheon's tourist infrastructure up to world standards."

      At yesterday's press conference, it was emphasized that the design of the circuit is being handled by the architectural firm of Hermann Tilke, now led by his son Karsten, and the country's National Development Institute has been engaged to compile the economic justification. The length of the future circuit is 4,960 meters, with 15 turns, and the estimated lap time is about 1 minute and 17 seconds, with an average speed potentially exceeding 230 km/h.

      According to AFP, Formula 1 declined to comment on the news coming from South Korea. In any case, projects of this scale still need to be approved at the government level, and it is also necessary to find a promoter who will take on the implementation of such plans.

      But most importantly, agreements must be reached with Formula 1, especially since the World Championship calendar already has 24 events. If there are only 22 in 2026, it will only be due to external circumstances classified as force majeure.