Denmark has entered the race to join the Formula 1 calendar after a group of Danish investors announced plans for a major new circuit in Padborg. Backed by an investment of 3.8 billion Danish kroner, roughly €510 million, the project aims to transform the country’s southernmost permanent racing venue into a Grade 1 facility capable of hosting a Grand Prix.
The scheme, known as the ‘Circuit of Denmark’, is being driven by Henrik Lyngbye Pedersen and his son Mathias Lyngbye Villadsen, heirs to the Novo Nordisk fortune. Their vision is to expand and redevelop the existing Padborg Park circuit into the longest track in Northern Europe, measuring 6.006 kilometres. The design has been entrusted to Austrian firm Wurz Design, led by former F1 driver and Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz.
Beyond the main circuit, the development includes plans for a 100,000-seat grandstand, as well as dedicated facilities for motocross, karting, hotels, and conference spaces. The developers say the project is intended to serve as a multi-purpose motorsport and events hub, similar in scope to Denmark’s largest arenas for sport and entertainment.
Funding for the early stages has come directly from the Pedersen family, but they are now seeking additional international investors to bring the full plan to fruition. The next formal step involves securing changes to local zoning regulations, with proposals already presented to politicians in Aabenraa municipality.
Project director Rebecca Palmberg Steele confirmed that the circuit is being engineered to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, the certification required for Formula 1 races. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the FIA or Formula One Management that Denmark will be added to the calendar. At this stage, the project remains a private initiative awaiting regulatory and commercial approval.
The location in South Jutland, close to the German border, is being positioned as a key advantage. Jens Hansen, F1 commentator for Viaplay and TV3 Sport, said the site could give Denmark access to both domestic and German audiences. He told Danish broadcaster tvSyd that the track’s proximity to Germany and its potential draw for Dutch fans, who are only a five-hour drive away, could make it a regional hub for motorsport.
“This circuit could have as big an impact on Danish motorsport as the Jyske Bank Boxen or Royal Arena have for concerts and sporting events,” Hansen said. He added that the branding as the ‘Circuit of Denmark’ reflects an ambition to create a national venue rather than a purely local facility.
If the project progresses, Denmark would become the latest Northern European country to pursue an F1 race. The calendar already features the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and interest has previously been expressed by Sweden and Finland, though neither has secured a deal. The addition of a Danish race would give F1 another event in a region with strong fan interest and a growing market for automotive brands.
The timeline for construction and potential inclusion on the calendar has not been specified. Much will depend on securing further investment, completing the planning process, and negotiating with Formula One Management. For now, the Pedersen family is pushing ahead with the design and approval phase, framing the circuit as both a sporting venue and a long-term economic driver for South Jutland.
With F1 continuing to expand into new markets while balancing existing European rounds, Denmark’s bid represents one of the most concrete proposals to emerge in recent years. Whether it translates into a Grand Prix will ultimately depend on approval from the sport’s governing bodies and the ability of the investors to deliver the circuit to FIA standards.
