Formula 1 on the streets of Chicago?

Formula 1 may have taken the first step to following NASCAR and racing on the streets of Chicago following a host of trademark files.

Grand Prix of Chicago’, ‘Formula 1 Grand Prix of Chicago’, ‘Chicago Grand Prix’ and ‘Formula 1 Chicago Grand Prix’ have all been registered as trademarks by Formula 1 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Although the trademarks could only be a protective measure from F1, it has opened the door to fuel speculation of a possible race in Illinois and becoming the latest North American addition to the F1 calendar.

Since the success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive the sport has enjoyed a boom in popularity in the USA with crowds at the annual United States Grand Prix at Austin rising massively since 2021.

The race at COTA, which is contracted until 2026 has been joined by new races at Miami and Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

If Formula 1 does race in Chicago, it would become the fourth race in America alone.

The trademarks arrive at an interesting time as only last year Chicago held a street race for the first time ever with NASCAR coming to the “Windy City”.

In scenes that will never be forgotten, Shane van Gisbergen stunned everyone by winning on NASCAR Cup Series debut.

Not only was the Chicago Street Race memorable, but so was the event with big crowds soaking up NASCAR’s first race held on a new 2.2mile street circuit around Grant Park and the event being hailed as a success with an anticipated return coming in 2024.

Daniel Ricciardo in front of the Las Vegas Sphere. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images Red Bull Content Pool

The news also follows the announcement of a Madrid street race snatching the Spanish Grand Prix from Catalunya after the Barcelona based circuit had held it since 1991.

Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images

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