F1 targets Bahrain return to 2026 calendar after April cancellation

Formula 1 is pushing to restore the Bahrain Grand Prix to the 2026 calendar after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds were cancelled in April due to escalating regional conflict. Speaking with Sky Sports F1 at the British Grand Prix, F1 president Stefano Domenicali confirmed that officials are actively weighing a return for one of those events, with Bahrain understood to be the favored candidate.

Why it matters:

The cancellations trimmed the originally planned 24-race season, costing teams valuable track time and disrupting F1's expanding Middle East footprint. Restoring Bahrain would bring the calendar closer to its initial target while testing whether the region can safely host its remaining 2026 fixtures.

The details:

• Domenicali said Bahrain is being considered for an October 2-4 slot between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix.
• Deadline: A final decision must be made before the summer break begins after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, leaving minimal time to lock in logistics and security.
• Saudi Arabia is not currently in play for rescheduling, making Bahrain the sole focus.
• Domenicali framed the potential return as a meaningful gesture beyond sport, suggesting it would send a positive message that regional instability is now "behind us."

What's next:

The coming weeks are critical for confirming Bahrain and safeguarding the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If confirmed, the Bahrain race would reassure the paddock that F1's Middle East commitments are secure through the end of the 2026 campaign.