The Danish dream of hosting F1 could be revived thanks to a new circuit project estimated at 500 million dollars, but many obstacles still need to be overcome before organizing a Grand Prix.
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After the failure of the urban Grand Prix project in Copenhagen in 2020 — despite the support of the FIA and a layout approved by the famous circuit designer Hermann Tilke — a new initiative called “Circuit of Denmark” is now trying to revive Danish ambition in another form.
This time, the project plans the construction of a brand new automotive complex in Padborg, in southern Jutland, with a circuit designed by Alex Wurz adjacent to an aerodrome (illustration above), located 300 km from the capital but not far from the German border, 160 km from Hamburg.
A popular sport without infrastructure
According to the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, the project promoters are linked to wealthy heirs of the pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.
Rebecca Steela, project director and former official within the Danish Football Federation and FC Copenhagen club, believes that Northern Europe lacks a true international infrastructure dedicated to motorsport: “We do not have a real home for motorsport capable of unleashing the huge talent we have here.”
Denmark has not been represented in Formula 1 since Kevin Magnussen left for BMW to endurance racing, a discipline where Tom Kristensen shone (nine wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an absolute record) and where many compatriots compete, including Nicklas Nielsen at Ferrari, Mikkel Jensen with Peugeot and soon McLaren, Marco Sorensen a pillar of Aston Martin and Michael Christensen official Porsche driver.
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While Frederik Vesti, 2023 Formula 2 runner-up, still harbors illusions as a Mercedes F1 reserve driver, the other best Danish single-seater prospect Christian Lundgaard has emigrated to the USA to race in IndyCar where he actually won the Indianapolis Grand Prix for McLaren last weekend.
Not the ideal situation…
The future circuit would not immediately meet the Formula 1 homologation requirements, but the long-term goal would indeed be to host a World Championship Grand Prix.
Former Danish minister Helge Sander, who had supported the previous F1 project in Copenhagen, expressed enthusiasm but caution: “I applauded reading this, but I know from experience that it is a huge project and there is still a very long way to go.”
He notably highlights several major obstacles: environmental and regulatory constraints; state and municipal authorizations; and especially the location of Padborg, which might not fit the current F1 strategy favoring large “destination cities”.
According to him: “It may not be the ideal place in the world. Hopefully, it won’t remain just nice words.”
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