John N
Formula One is one of the world’s most profitable sports, and therefore it’s no surprise that owning a Formula One race track can be a lucrative investment. Because there are so many shareholders at each circuit, it’s impossible to say with certainty who owns which track. However, individuals can be linked to a particular track through their percentage ownership of shares, while some tracks are wholly owned by the state.
Here’s a list of race circuits and their owners;
- Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit is owned by the Mumtalakat group of companies. Mumtalakat, which means “wealth” in Arabic, is an investment firm that owns and operates the circuit through a subsidiary named the Bahrain International Circuit Company (BICC). BICC contributes significantly to Bahrain’s GDP and is wholly owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain (KB), with the Ministry of Finance representing it on the share market.
- Imola Circuit
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, better known as the Imola circuit, is the host of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy. While the name Ferrari appears in the circuit’s name, this is after Enzo Ferrari, with Ferrari not having ownership. Instead, the Imola track is owned and operated by the Con-Ami holding company. Con-Ami was awarded tender rights to management for 64 years in 2012 by the Municipality of Imola.
- Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the host of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The track is wholly owned and managed by a private company, which in turn is under the control and governance of the Department of Business and Connection, this department being a subsidiary of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
- Baku International Circuit
EThe Baku City circuit is the host of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix held in the capital city of Azerbaijan. The Grand Prix and the track is managed and owned by the Baku City Circuit Operation Company.
- Circuit Paul Ricard
The Circuit Paul Ricard is the host of the French Grand Prix held in the small feudal town of Le Castellet. Although initially bought, owned, and managed by former CEO of the Formula One Group, Bernie Ecclestone, it has subsequently fallen under the ownership of his ex-wife Slavia Ecclestone as part of their divorce settlement.
- Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit is the host of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management is the owner of the track, with Saif Al Noaimi as the CEO of the company.
- Losail International Circuit
The Losail International Circuit is the host of the Qatar Grand Prix in the town of Lusail. It was built by Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, which continues to manage and own the track.
- Interlagos Circuit
The Interlagos Circuit is the host of the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo. Interlagos is a merger of state ownership, promotion of Brazil Motorsports, and financially backed by the Abu-Dhabi investment firm Mubadala.
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the host of the Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City. While previously under the management and ownership of state-run oil company Pemex, financial troubles have seen the Mexican government take a more direct role in the ownership and management of the track. It is currently owned by a company under the same name, which in turn was founded by its managing partner Bobby Epstein.
- 13. Istanbul Park
Istanbul bul Park is the host of the Turkish Grand Prix in the city of Istanbul. The track is owned, managed, and operated by Intercity Istanbul, which was established by its founder Ali Vural Ak.
- The Sochi Autodrome
The Sochi Autodrome is the host of the Russian Grand Prix in the municipality of Sirius. As of 2018, the track was owned by Center Omega enterprise; however, discussions are underway to facilitate a change of ownership to a state-owned or non – commercial organization for tax purposes.
- Monza Circuit
The Monza Circuit is the host of the Italian Grand Prix in the city of Monza. The circuit is a joint-owned public venture between the Commune di Monza and Milan, public municipal entities of the cities of Monza and Milan, respectively.
- 10. Circuit Zandvoort
Circuit Zandvoort is the host of the Dutch Grand Prix in the municipality of Zandvoort in the Netherlands. It is currently owned by the Chapman Andretti Partners company, which in turn is co-owned by Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, a member of the Dutch Royal family.
- Red Bull Ring
The Red Bull Ring is the host of the Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg, Austria. Previously known as the A1-Ring, it lay dormant for several years from 2003 until the CEO and President of Red Bull, Dieter Mateschitz, purchased the track and renamed it the Red Bull Ring. As suggested by the name, the Red Bull Ring is wholly owned by Red Bull and reopened in 2011 for purposes of hosting the Austrian Grand Prix, along with other motorsports events.
- Silverstone Circuit
The Silverstone Circuit is the host of the British Grand Prix and is close to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. Silverstone is owned by the British Racing Drivers’ Club, an exclusive, invitation-only members club reserved for British drivers that have succeeded in motorsports over many seasons.
- Hungary Circuit
The Hungarian ring is the host of the Hungarian Grand Prix at the small village of Mogyoród. The track itself is privately owned, operated, and managed under the name of Hungarian ring Sport Zrt,
- Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the host of the Belgium Grand Prix in the town of Francorchamps. The track itself is privately owned, operated, and managed under a company of the same name as the track itself.
