In Denmark, the idea of building a modern racing circuit has emerged, which in the future could host Formula 1 races. If the “Circuit of Denmark” project comes to fruition, it will be the most modern racing circuit in Scandinavia, where such facilities are lacking.
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Information about this project appeared in Danish media earlier this week, including on a local television service. I want to emphasize that currently there are no plans to organize F1 races. If the circuit is built, it will initially not meet the required conditions. Only in the future could it be modernized to the highest FIA standards if there is a chance to organize F1 events.
A modern Circuit of Denmark may be built in Denmark
The construction of a motorsport complex is planned in the small town of Padborg in southern Denmark near the German border. There is already a small racing circuit, Padborg Park, at this location, and the new facility would be built in its place. It will also be necessary to purchase many surrounding lands. Currently, the entire project exists only as a preliminary plan. For it to come to fruition, the initiators must gather more investors and obtain all necessary permits. It seems that local governments will be interested, as such a facility would mean the creation of many jobs and an annual influx of visitors (Source).
The new project, called “Circuit of Denmark,” is backed by the heirs of Thorvald Pedersen, who founded a pharmaceutical company many decades ago that is now a global giant – Novo Nordisk. The initiators are father and son Henrik Lyngbye Pedersen and Mathias Lyngbye Villadsen, who compete in GT racing. They lack a modern circuit in their homeland, so they decided to take action.
A motorsport complex worth 500 million euros is being prepared. The main circuit layout has been preliminarily designed by the Wurz Design office owned by Alex Wurz. The circuit is to have 18 corners and be 6.006 km long. It is intended to be a very fast facility with a smooth driving line. The plan includes a full complex, the main racing circuit, a motocross track, and a karting track. Hotels, a conference center, and other necessary buildings will be built around it. The location right on the border with Germany is intended to attract many fans and drivers from that country. Currently, there is no facility of such a high class in Scandinavia, so this would also be a good opportunity for the owners.
The presented visualization shows the circuit layout. Next to it, you can also see a small airport, and at the top, the karting and motocross tracks. The main circuit visualization does not show grandstands, but preparations are planned for 100,000 seats.
Initially, the circuit would meet the requirements to host the highest class of motorcycle races, MotoGP, and regarding FIA standards, all competitions except F1 could be organized. In the future, it could be modernized if a contract with Liberty Media is signed. This is not stated in the source materials, but it must concern FIA category 2, and to obtain category 1, they would need to improve safety issues and commercial facilities for Liberty Media.
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Summary
Many racing circuits have been planned, so until construction is confirmed, this will remain only a virtual project. The costs of the planned complex are very high, so willing investors will need to be found, which is never easy. A decade ago, there was a more ambitious idea for a racing circuit in Denmark, but nothing came of it; I remind you of the story below. I have described it several times on the blog.
Unrealized idea for the Danish GP on a street circuit in Copenhagen
Kevin Magnussen’s debut in Formula 1 in 2014 sparked ideas in Denmark to organize their own Grand Prix. Bernie Ecclestone even registered the appropriate trademarks (he did this for many potential races, including the Polish GP). Initially, it was just an idea, with talk of private company involvement, but it ended at words. The situation changed three years later.
In 2017, the organization of the Danish GP on a street circuit in Copenhagen was proposed. This idea was presented to Liberty Media. In mid-2017, Danish businessman Lars Seier Christensen (one of the founders of Saxo Bank) met with Chase Carey in London, proposing such a race. In July 2017, we saw the preliminary layout of the proposed circuit, designed by Herman Tilke. If a contract with F1 was signed, the project was to be finalized. You can see the preliminary configuration at this link. It was to be a typical street circuit running entirely on existing roads. The circuit layout was to pass over two bridges and a two-level intersection (cars would drive both above and below). The circuit would be located in the historic part of the city, and its construction would cause significant local traffic disruptions. The layout was designed based on Baku, which had considerable success at that time, meaning F1 cars were to reach high top speeds on the Copenhagen circuit despite driving on tight streets. Chase Carey visited Copenhagen to see the planned site for the new circuit. Promoters optimistically assumed a debut in the Formula 1 calendar in 2020. However, the chances of the project being realized quickly diminished. In mid-2018, Danish media reported a dispute between the Copenhagen city council and the Danish government over funding the Danish GP. Opposition parties were against its organization, and there was no unanimous support within the ruling coalition. There was no political backing or adequate support from private investors.
Organizing a race on the streets of Copenhagen overwhelmed local promoters financially and organizationally. In my opinion, everything hinged on Kevin Magnussen’s results. When the Dane debuted in F1, he had good results in his first season but lost his seat for the 2015 season because McLaren chose a championship-winning lineup of Alonso – Button. Magnussen returned to F1 in 2016 but drove for weaker teams Renault and Haas, where he had average results. His popularity in Denmark was not sufficient; after an initially successful debut, there was no improvement in subsequent years. We have examples of other races that returned or debuted in F1 due to the success of a local driver.
P.S. In 1961-1962, two F1 races for the Danish GP were held, but they were not counted towards the World Championship standings.
P.S.2. I wrote at the beginning that it would be the “most modern racing circuit in Scandinavia.” Scandinavia consists of three countries: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, and none of them has a circuit of such a class. You probably know the recently built KymiRing circuit in Finland, which is theoretically modern, but since its opening in 2019, practically nothing has happened there; construction seems unfinished, and the owner went bankrupt. The circuit now has a new owner, but I do not know how much the situation has improved there.
