June the 3rd, 2026 – It’s all systems go as Croatia gets its official green light for a Formula 1 track. The Croatia Ring international racetrack is planned north of Slunj, and environmental impact assessment for the project has now been approved.
According to the environmental protection study, an international motorsport complex called Croatia Ring is currently being planned in Karlovac County. Forbes Hrvatska writes that it would become Croatia’s very first racetrack built to the highest standards of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and potentially capable of hosting Formula 1 races.
This particular permit was approved after a 10 month wait, and the project has since been included on the list of strategic investment projects of the Republic of Croatia. The planned location is in the area of Slunj, between the settlements of Veljun and Blagaj, near the Korana River.
“We finally have the decision and I’m very satisfied with the procedure, which was extremely complex. We proved ourselves and successfully responded to all the demands of the profession and the ministry. Now we continue forward. This is a large project that will certainly bring benefits both to Karlovac County and the entire Republic of Croatia,” said Davorin Štetner, project leader and partner. The investor is the company Automotodrom Plitvice owned by Ante Bušić.
all in close accordance with formula 1 criteria
The study foresees the construction of a complex on approximately 50 hectares. Of that, 40 hectares would be dedicated to the racetrack itself (including the track, paddock, service buildings, and supporting infrastructure), while the remaining 10 hectares would be used for tourist and hospitality facilities.
A Lukoil petrol station already exists on the site and will remain. Existing houses and weekend cottages have already been bought out or will be subject to expropriation and will be demolished before construction begins.
Interestingly enough, the future track location is already marked as Croatia Ring on Google Maps.
The central feature is a 4.2 km long track with 12 turns and an elevation difference of over 34 metres. It is designed according to FIA Grade 1 specifications – the highest category that allows hosting of the world’s top motorsport events, including Formula 1. The track will have multiple configurations and will be used for car and motorcycle competitions, vehicle testing, safe driving schools, and commercial events.
hotels and other accompanying facilities
The project also includes significant tourist infrastructure: a boutique hotel, luxury apartments, track-view lodges, restaurants, exhibition space, and additional accommodation with a total capacity of around 520 guests per day.
For major race weekends, the complex plans to accommodate nearly 18,000 visitors. Natural grandstands could hold about 15,000 spectators, with additional VIP areas, a media centre, and full infrastructure for television broadcasts.
Major events are planned to take place once or twice a year. Construction will be carried out in three phases: first the track, paddock, VIP lodges and service buildings, then the hotel, and finally villas and additional tourist facilities. The entire construction is expected to take around two years.
Over 1.18 million cubic metres of material will need to be excavated, with limited blasting of rocky terrain possible. Over 60% of the total area will remain as green space, significantly more than required by the spatial plan.
a private project with a design by big f1 names
The project is fully aligned with the Spatial Plan of Karlovac County, which defines the racetrack as a regionally significant structure. The project holders emphasise that Croatia Ring should become the centre of Croatian motorsport and an absolutely massive new tourist attraction for continental Croatia.
The permit being approved marks another crucial step forward with regard to the Karlovac County spatial plan back in 2022. The next logical step is location permit. It should be pointed out that this huge project is completely private with no public money having been provided for it. It was kicked off back in 2021 with Ante Busic and Davorin Stetner as the co-founders and partners.
“I’m proud of our achievements. In around five years, we’ve managed to deal with some big obstacles. This is classed as a mega-project so our feet are firmly on the ground and we’re taking things step by step. Getting this permit represented a major step forward and the terms were strict, but we still ticked all of the boxes. Our goal is to remain as green as possible and to create a positive investment for the city, county and for Croatia as a whole,” concluded Davorin Stetner, managing partner.
The track itself has been designed by Hermann and Carsten Tilke, the biggest F1 designers in the world.
