F1 Weighs Options to Reschedule Middle East Race for 2026 Calendar

Formula 1 is evaluating options to bring back one of its two cancelled Middle East races—Bahrain or Saudi Arabia—later in the 2026 season, after the Iran war forced their removal from the April schedule. Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang confirmed during Q1 results that rescheduling one race toward the end of the season "might be possible," with a final decision expected around the summer break.

Why it matters:

The loss of two races created a five-week gap early in the season and reduced the calendar to 22 events. Restoring one race would not only boost revenue from hosting fees but also maintain the championship's global reach. F1 is eager to avoid dropping below 22 races if further tensions threaten Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The details:

• Potential windows: The most straightforward option is slotting the Bahrain GP into the October 2-4 weekend, forming a triple header with Azerbaijan (Sept 26) and Singapore (Oct 11).
• Alternatively, the final three races could be reshuffled: hold Saudi or Bahrain on Dec 6 and move Abu Dhabi to Dec 13, creating F1's first quadruple header. Logistical challenges are offset by high hosting fees—Saudi Arabia's is among the highest of the year.
• Backup plans: If Qatar and Abu Dhabi become threatened, F1 has contingency venues ready, though specifics were not disclosed. A double-header in Las Vegas was floated but not confirmed.
• Financial context: F1's Q1 revenue rose 53% to $617 million, partly due to an extra race compared to 2025. Q2 will be hit by the missing Middle East races.

What's next:

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stressed that the wellbeing of everyone comes first. A decision will be made when the regional situation is clearer, likely by the summer break. If tensions ease, one race could be reinstated; if not, F1 may need to activate backup plans to keep the calendar robust. Teams were updated at the Miami GP, and any move will require significant notice for freight and logistics.