F1 2026 Season Calendar Under Review Again: Middle East Return Hinges on Truce

The 2026 Formula 1 calendar is once again under scrutiny as the possibility of reinstating one of the two cancelled Middle Eastern races — the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — depends on a lasting truce between the United States and Iran. According to GPblog, there is a single available slot between the Baku and Singapore rounds where a race could be rescheduled, but only if the geopolitical situation stabilizes.

Why it matters:

The calendar reshuffle reflects F1's ongoing vulnerability to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a region that traditionally hosts multiple rounds. The loss of both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – two lucrative venues – has left a gap that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admits is impossible to fully fill. A successful return of even one race would restore some commercial and sporting balance, but the decision remains contingent on external factors beyond the sport's control.

The details:

• Available slot: The only feasible window for a replacement Middle East race is between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Baku) and the Singapore Grand Prix, likely in late June or early July. No other gaps exist in the 2026 schedule.
• Conditions: Formula 1 will only travel to the region if a full and lasting truce between the US and Iran is in place. Domenicali confirmed that a contingency plan exists but declined to elaborate on specifics.
• Which race? The choice between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia involves trade-offs:
  • Bahrain (Sakhir): A permanent circuit, better suited to the 2026 regulations' energy management demands. The new cars are expected to face less stress under braking and acceleration at Sakhir compared to Jeddah.
  • Saudi Arabia (Jeddah): A high-speed street circuit with long full-throttle sections, which could cause super-clipping issues for the next-gen power units. However, its commercial appeal and prestige may be more attractive to F1's leadership.
• Domenicali's stance: "I think it will be impossible to replace both races. Even replacing one will already be difficult. There aren't many free dates available," he told L'Équipe. He stressed that decisions will be made "in the coming months."
• Alternatives discussed: In the GPblog podcast, Ben Hunt and Jim Kimberley also explored the possibility of double-headers at existing circuits like Interlagos, Circuit of the Americas, or Australia if the Middle East option falls through.

What's next:

F1 will monitor the geopolitical landscape closely. A decision on whether to reinstate Bahrain or Saudi Arabia is expected within the next few months. If the truce holds, a single race return is possible — but anything beyond that appears off the table for 2026.