Mexico City
Starting with by far the most likely track to appear on the Indycar calendar in the coming years in the form of Mexico City. The series has over the past couple of years experienced what could only be described as patomania with the passionate Mexican fans showing their support for their home hero. With the impact Pato O’Ward has had on the growth of the series, it is a move that would make a lot of sense.
There was even hope it may have featured this year with Roger Penske confirming talks between representatives had progressed, but ruled out a spot on the 2026 schedule due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“While extensive progress was made alongside the venue’s operating group and our potential promoter, ultimately the significant impact of next year’s World Cup proved too challenging to ensure a successful event given the available summer dates.”
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – in its current layout – has hit it’s ten-year anniversary this year having hosted Formula One since 2015. It is a circuit that provides entertainment and spectacle and the thought of IndyCars hurtling down the 1.2km (0.75mi) straight is mouthwatering. No DRS train here folks!
That being said it would be a big moment for the IndyCar, it has not run on the same track as F1 since back in 2019 when Colton Herta was victorious around the series’ only venture to the Circuit of the Americas. More on that later…
With that being said it seems a matter of when not if we will see the newest expansion which would make it the second race outside of the US alongside the annual Canadian event which was also affected by the World Cup as it has been forced to move from its usual downtown Toronto location to the suburb of Markham.
Jerez
Whilst O’Ward may be the reason behind much of the series’ growth, it is one of the other International drivers who has claimed the biggest awards available. Álex Palou has been spectacular, the now Four-Time Drivers Champion has reached heights unseen in what was arguably the greatest single season by a driver in IndyCar history.
His stardom in itself has put itself on display for those across the racing world to take note. Nominated for Autosport’s driver of the Year award, the Spaniard has been reeling from his success during the off season, recently even featuring on the FC Barcelona social media page.
Palou is currently on a media tour in his home country where he has been showing the Borg-Warner Trophy around Spain, through social media his team Chip Ganassi Racing poked fun at his presence there by pointing out the vast number of circuits across the country.
It certainly had us thinking, why not? Spain has a rich history in motorsport and a variety of incredible venues to choose from. The three most likely would be the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, Jerez and Motorland Aragon.
That being said, despite the thought of IndyCar taking on Europe’s answer to the infamous Laguna Seca corkscrew in Aragon the circuit itself is undeniably a motorcycle specific circuit and would be unlikely to produce good enough racing to be on the calendar.
That leaves the two remaining and when comparing them it’s difficult to see how Jerez would be able to match the financial power Barcelona brings. Whilst difficult it’s not impossible, and for that reason it is why Jerez is the circuit that IndyCar should look at if a further Spanish expansion is on the cards.
Jerez has a history of hosting major events, MotoGP and F1 to name but a few it always throws up drama and its layout that features a mix of big braking zones and fast flowing corners is why it would make a perfect IndyCar track. With Palou in his prime, now would be the chance for IndyCar to capitalise on it and attract yet another passionate fanbase.
Cleveland
Unpopular with drivers, an eye sore to look at but those around during the golden age of CART in the 80’s, 90’s and early 00’s will understand just why this track has managed a mention. Its peculiar layout on what was an active airfield for all but one week of the year lended itself brilliantly for racing action.
With runways being used as straights, the drivers were left with an unusually wide canvas to carve. With more room however came more opportunity for side by side racing and with 8 of 10 corners being 90 degree direction changes.
The corners that did not align with this trend were the opening two, the first corner being particularly challenging as its 135 degree angle led to much chaos during the decades as cars would often fan out 6 or 7 cars wide before the heavy braking zone and compression of Turn 1 where multi car collisions became consistent.
If not for the racing, it should be for the spectacle. There have been recent talks of a race in Cleveland but instead for a downtown street circuit. The question is why? When there is such an entertaining event that has shown itself to be possible, why not bring it back and have them battle down the main straight with a Boeing in the back of the picture.
Road Atlanta
One that has seemed to have slipped under the radar in terms of American circuits is Road Atlanta. Not to be confused with Road America, the track in the North of Georgia nestled in the countryside is one of the most picturesque circuits on the motorsport calendar.
It is one that has proved itself capable of hosting big motorsport events with the annual IMSA Petit Le Mans showing just what Road Atlanta has to offer. A fast sweeping esses section to start the lap before charging uphill to the top speed test of the backstraight which would be perfect for IndyCar action.
Despite no history of major single seater racing it has previously held races for IMSA, Can-Am and a variety of GT classes. Having proved the hypercars are just as effective around the circuit it seems the next logical step to add IndyCar to the schedule.
Circuit of the Americas
Well you were warned! Since its introduction to F1 back in 2012 the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has been a fan favourite due to its exciting racing, interesting track layout and incredible sporting spectacle.
Taking inspiration from some of racing’s most famous corners including the Suzuka S section and Istanbul’s triple threat Turn 10, COTA is an amalgamation of some of the best aspects of track design.
With all this in mind, it was widely celebrated when IndyCar made the decision to add it to their 2019 schedule for what was titled The IndyCar Classic. And a classic it was as a new winner was crowned, Herta as previously mentioned becoming the youngest winner in series history at only 18 years old.
One of the other main talking points from the weekend were the liberal approach to track limits, especially in the penultimate corner where drivers would make use of all of the run off with no consideration of the painted white lines.
It was a quirk that gained attention but more interestingly highlighted more of what IndyCar is about as whilst it was a measure taken to help tyre wear it also showed how the series is all about the racing and something like track limits in a single corner is not something that would truly alter the race.
With the overwhelming success of the first edition there was a multi year contract meant to bring the series back at least a few more years. Unfortunately the pandemic halted any chances of that and things went back to square one.
Where does the circuit stand now? In an IndyCar capacity there have been a number of things complicating its return. Some of these include the rival event at Texas Motor Speedway filling the quota for the state as well as Penske’s push for more oval races.
That being said, with Texas Motor Speedway out of the picture it seems the door may well be open for COTA’s return.
