BAN ON MOTOR CIRCUIT RACING IN SWITZERLAND TO BE LIFTED

The long-standing ban on motor circuit racing in Switzerland, which has been in place since the 1955 Le Mans disaster, in which more than 80 people were killed, is to be lifted on 1 June 2026, on which date amendments to the Road Traffic Act (LCR) will take effect.

Although circuit races were banned, time trials, hill climbing, and rallying were allowed.

The forthcoming change will permit, in principle, the return of full circuit racing.

The necessary legislation to repeal the ban was passed by both houses of the Swiss Parliament following a vote in 2022,

Although the Federal ban is due to disappear, the Swiss Cantons will retain authority to authorise events.

However, these may face environmental and practical hurdles.

As regards the prospect of a Formula 1 Grand Prix race in Switzerland, that may not be expected in the foreseeable future, unless an entrepreneur is allowed to build a Formula 1 circuit, which may prove problematic in practice.

We act in motor sport cases, especially in disputes, and further information is available from Dr Lucien Valloni by emailing him at valloni@valloni.ch.