The excitement surrounding the prospect of a Formula 1 race in Chicago has been tempered by a local politician’s recent remarks. Despite F1 owner Liberty Media’s recent trademarking of ‘Formula 1 Chicago Grand Prix,’ Chicago’s 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins has cast doubt on the city hosting a Grand Prix.
The buzz about Chicago as an F1 venue followed Nascar’s successful debut race on the new Chicago Street Course in the city’s central business district, encompassing Grant Park in the Loop area. However, Hopkins, while acknowledging initial discussions with F1 representatives, revealed a major sticking point: “I’m told that F1 typically requires a 10-year minimum deal,” he said to the Chicago Sun-Times. “And that appears to be non-negotiable. The conversation did not get much past that.”
Public response to the Nascar event was also less enthusiastic than expected, further complicating the potential introduction of F1 to the city. Alderman Brendon Reilly echoed Hopkins’ sentiments, suggesting that Chicago would have to choose between Nascar and F1, not both. He highlighted the significant infrastructure and investment required for an F1 race, stating, “What we did with Nascar, welding manhole covers and smoothing over potholes and calling it a track – that doesn’t work with F1. More complicated, thus higher price tag.”
