Formula 1 has been expanding its presence in the United States, and it looks like Chicago could be next to host a Grand Prix.
Last week, Formula 1 registered several trademarks for a potential race in the Windy City, including, "Formula 1 Grand Prix of Chicago," "Grand Prix of Chicago," "Chicago Grand Prix" and "Formula 1 Chicago Grand Prix."
Sports Illustrated noted that these applications could just be protective measures, but the applications also suggest that F1 is considering Chicago as a new venue for the racing calendar.
This isn't the first time F1 has considered Chicago. In 2018, the Windy City placed a bid to host a Grand Prix but Bernie Ecclestone, former chief executive of Formula 1, turned the city down because it didn't offer to pay as much as other race hosts.
"I thought I could get more somewhere else," Ecclestone said at the time. "I could do a deal this afternoon for a race in California."
But that wasn't the end of the sport's flirtation with Chicago, because in 2019 F1 made several demonstration appearances in Chicago, including the Emirates F1 Chicago Festival hosted at Soldier Field. Red Bull also put on a 2,000-foot temporary "pop-up" circuit that ran down Madison Street and in parking lots.
Additionally, NASCAR held its first 2.2-mile street race around Grant Park in Chicago last summer and is set to return there later this year.
Yahoo Sports notes, "Should NASCAR return to the streets of Chicago in 2025, given the road closures that come with the setup of a street course it would make sense to use that same course for an F1 event."
Formula 1 has been gaining in popularity in the States over the last decade beginning with the Circuit of the Americas hosted in Austin, Texas, since 2012. Races have since been added in Miami in 2022 and then last season in Las Vegas.
Netflix's F1 series "Drive to Survive" has also contributed to the rise in popularity and interest in the States and F1's commercial rights owner, Liberty Media, has been eager to build on that popularity.
"This has resonated with a different demographic, a younger demographic, a female demographic," Ian Holmes, F1's director of media rights, said in an interview. "Your avid fan will 100 percent hoover through the series. But what is particularly exciting for us is how non-fans have become fans."
Austin's Circuit of the Americas' contract expires at the end of the 2026 season so fans have questioned whether Chicago could be a possible replacement.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix's contract runs until 2025, while Miami has a long-term deal until 2031.
