A calendar disrupted by the geopolitical context: how many Grands Prix in 2026?

The Formula 1 and the FIA are currently considering adding at least one Grand Prix to this season’s calendar, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races last month.

The conflict in the Middle East, marked notably by Iran’s attacks in the region, forced the authorities to announce that these two Grand Prix events could not take place in April.

However, this decision leaves the door open for a rescheduling, with both events still being candidates for a later return in the year.

Originally, this option seemed unlikely due to a very busy schedule after the summer break, with 11 races planned over 16 weekends.

CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, recently indicated that a race could be rescheduled. According to several sources, the weekend of October 2-4, sandwiched between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grand Prix events, is currently being considered.

From the FIA’s perspective, the return of Bahrain seems favored, primarily for logistical reasons as some equipment is already on site. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is actively pushing for its race to be reinstated.

Another option being considered is a sequence of four consecutive races to end the season. This would involve inserting Saudi Arabia between Qatar and Abu Dhabi, after Las Vegas.

The schedule would then be extremely packed, with a delayed finale on December 13 at the Yas Marina Circuit.

While this solution is technically feasible, there are strong concerns from a human perspective as the workload for teams could become unsustainable towards the end of the season.

Another major issue concerns spectators who have already booked tickets, flights, and accommodations for the Abu Dhabi race scheduled for early December. Contractually, this event must close the season, preventing the relocation of the last round.

In summary, although several scenarios are being considered, Formula 1 must juggle logistical constraints, contractual commitments, and the well-being of teams before deciding if a canceled Grand Prix can indeed be rescheduled.

Fact Check: The article discusses the considerations and challenges faced by Formula 1 and the FIA in potentially adding a Grand Prix event to the season’s calendar amid the cancellations of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to geopolitical conflicts. Context: The Formula 1 and FIA are exploring options for rescheduling races and adding new events to accommodate the disrupted schedule caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.