Patryk Stachowiak
No Calendar Substitutes for Middle East Double-Header
Formula 1 has no plans to fill the calendar gaps if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are cancelled due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The races, scheduled for April 10-12 and April 17-19, face significant uncertainty. Both nations were recently targeted by Iran in response to US-Israeli air strikes, placing the events in jeopardy.
Officials expect a final decision by March 20. While Portimato in Portugal and Imola in Italy were discussed as potential backups, the short notice makes organizing these events for April impossible. If the rounds are dropped, the 2026 season will shrink from 24 to 22 races. This would result in a five-week competitive void between Japan on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3.
- Also read: F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 Schedule: Date and Start Time in USA, Europe and Local Time
F1 Safety Remains Primary Objective
“First of all, our approach is safety for all of the relevant stakeholders, people and the promoter itself,” Stefano Domenicali told Sky Sports F1. “We don’t want to make any statement today because things are evolving and we still have time to make the right decision. This decision will be taken together.”
Domenicali is scheduled to meet with team principals this Saturday in Melbourne. McLaren chief executive Zak Brown emphasized that the health of the fans, partners, and race teams is the utmost importance. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted that while he hopes racing continues, the geopolitical situation takes priority over sport.
Logistical Challenges Impact Australian GP
The Australian Grand Prix has proceeded, yet the conflict already impacted operations. Pirelli was forced to cancel a tyre test in Bahrain involving Mercedes and McLaren last week. Logistical hurdles necessitated the removal of curfew restrictions in Melbourne to allow teams to manage delayed freight and personnel arrivals.
Moving the F1 circus involves 3,000 people. Domenicali noted that many staff were originally booked on flights through Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain, requiring an intense couple of days to evacuate personnel from the region and ensure the season opener could take place. Follow TipsGG for continued updates on the 2026 calendar status.