2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 199

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April due to the conflict in the Middle East has dramatically reshaped the Formula 1 calendar. The double postponement has created a month-long gap without racing, while also leaving several major questions over how the second half of the championship could be reorganised.

Formally, the two events were never officially cancelled by Formula 1, which simply stated that they would not take place in April. It is no secret that the shared objective remains finding a way to recover both races later in the season. Much will depend on how the conflict in the Middle East evolves and how quickly the situation stabilises, but several options remain under consideration, also reflecting the wishes of the race promoters themselves.

This was also confirmed by Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang, who during the recent shareholder meeting focused on financial results explained that Formula 1 leadership is “working day and night” to recover at least one of the two races. “We will act carefully. It may be possible to reschedule one race toward the end of the season,” Chang said.

In the most optimistic scenario, one of the two races between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could be reintroduced by using the currently open slot between Baku and Singapore in September. At the moment, this appears to be the most realistic solution because it would not require major disruption to the existing calendar, although it would create three consecutive triple-headers in the final part of the season, placing even more pressure on teams from both a human and logistical standpoint.

The situation becomes far more complicated if the target is to recover both events. From late October onward, Formula 1 moves to the Americas, leaving no realistic room to reintroduce a Middle Eastern race in November. It would be easier on paper to add an event at the very end of the campaign, when the championship returns to the Middle East anyway, but even that option brings significant complications.

Under contract, Abu Dhabi must remain the final race of the season, meaning any additional Grand Prix would require pushing the season finale back by another week, bringing the championship dangerously close to the Christmas shutdown. It is also worth remembering that after the Yas Marina race, teams are already scheduled to remain in the Middle East for several extra days for a Pirelli tyre test session aimed at gathering development data for the 2027 season.

Not only would the calendar become longer, but Formula 1 would also face an unprecedented run of four consecutive race weekends alongside Las Vegas and Qatar, making an already exhausting period even more demanding. This is especially relevant because not all team personnel are subject to rotation. It is easy to understand why this remains more of a backup option for now, even if the financial return would provide a strong incentive for teams.

All of this is based on the most favourable assumption: that the conflict ends relatively soon. However, the situation remains extremely volatile, and it cannot be ruled out that even Qatar and Abu Dhabi later in the year could be called into question if no international resolution is reached.

On that front, Formula 1 has already confirmed it has contingency plans in place to avoid the calendar shrinking too dramatically, which could trigger wider consequences. “We have plans,” Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali added. “The timelines and deadlines change depending on whether we are talking about recovering races that were not held in April, or dealing with what may or may not happen at the end of November or early December. We are coordinating with teams and promoters, because every decision creates a chain reaction.”

Organisational challenge: alternative logistics hubs must be found

But beyond the calendar itself, the organisational side is even more complicated than it appears. Because of the conflict, both Formula 1 teams and Pirelli—which was conducting a test session when the first missiles were launched—still have equipment stranded in Bahrain, where pre-season testing took place.

The bigger issue is that the Middle East serves as a crucial logistics hub for Formula 1 operations. Teams rely heavily on Dubai or Doha, helped by existing partnerships with Formula 1, as transit points for freight heading toward Asian race weekends. The disruption forced teams to find alternative solutions as early as the Japanese Grand Prix, which was already awkwardly separated from Australia and China on the calendar.

For this reason, when looking at the second half of the season, Singapore emerges as one of the most difficult races to manage, both in terms of equipment and personnel movement. Uncertainty over the development of the conflict means teams must completely rethink travel and freight routes, identifying alternative solutions that maintain both safety and operational efficiency.

Budget cap impact: freight costs count against teams

Efficiency is the key word here. Under Formula 1 regulations, while expenses such as hotels, flights, taxis and buses directly linked to travelling personnel are excluded from the budget cap, freight costs are treated very differently. Shipping race equipment falls within the spending cap, meaning any increase directly impacts team finances.

The conflict has already pushed transport costs significantly higher, and the need to avoid traditional transit hubs only adds further pressure, especially for smaller teams. “Transport costs have increased,” explained Haas Head of Car Engineering Hoady Nidd.

“For smaller teams this has an even bigger impact, not because the expenses are necessarily different compared to the bigger teams, but because they represent a much larger portion of our budget. Right now we are evaluating the rest of the year. There are also chain effects, not only for air freight. Our logistics department is working extensively on sea freight planning related to Bahrain and Jeddah as well.”

These factors help explain why inserting one of the postponed Grands Prix between Baku and Singapore—already seen as one of the toughest logistical stretches of the year—would still be extremely difficult. Every team operates multiple freight kits moving by sea depending on the scheduled destinations, but reintroducing one of those races would require a complete rethink of logistics planning, reallocating infrastructure to an unscheduled event.

This is manageable when teams have several months’ notice, but becomes vastly more difficult when uncertainty dominates planning. Added to that is the issue of moving equipment between consecutive races. For sustainability reasons, Formula 1 follows a strict freight chain, including shipment methods, to minimise unnecessary impact. In fact, for many teams, containers—including chassis—returned to the factory at least a week late following the Japanese Grand Prix.

The human factor: more than just a physical endurance test

There is also a far more delicate issue: the human one. Leading teams generally have larger staffing pools, allowing them to rotate personnel more frequently. Smaller teams do not enjoy that luxury. Their resources are more limited, rotations are harder to implement, and the addition of another Grand Prix would only further increase workload and stress levels.

Not every team member can be rotated. While some roles, such as mechanics, now benefit from structured rotation systems introduced in recent years to cope with the growing number of races, other positions require permanent presence. Race engineers, driver performance engineers, specialist technical staff, sporting directors and trackside operations personnel are all roles that cannot simply be swapped in and out.

To put it into perspective, adding another race would turn the second half of the season into 12 Grands Prix across just 16 weeks. For personnel required to attend every event, that would mean being away from home for nearly four months. It would be a brutal endurance test, both technically and personally, especially at the most demanding point of the season.

The forced postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the conflict in the Middle East has not completely ruled out the possibility of recovering at least one of the two races. However, any attempt to bring them back onto the Formula 1 calendar would require an extremely complex reshuffling process, creating significant consequences not only for the championship schedule, but also for the teams themselves, both financially and from a human perspective. The conflict has triggered serious logistical complications and rising transport costs, putting further pressure on already stretched budgets. Let’s examine the options currently being considered and the potential consequences of each scenario.

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix originally scheduled for April due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dramatically reshaped the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. Losing two races in quick succession created a month-long gap without competitive action, while also opening up a series of difficult questions regarding how the second half of the championship might be reorganized.

Technically, neither event has ever been officially cancelled by Formula 1. The championship merely confirmed that the races would not take place in April, leaving the door open for a possible return later in the season. It is no secret that the shared objective remains to recover at least one, and ideally both, of those events if conditions allow. Much will depend on how the geopolitical situation evolves and how quickly the conflict reaches some form of resolution, but several options remain under active consideration, not least because the promoters themselves are eager to preserve their events.

That intention was also confirmed by Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang, who, during a recent shareholder meeting focused on financial results, explained that Formula 1 leadership is working relentlessly to find a solution. “We are working day and night” to try to recover at least one of the two races, Chang said. “We will proceed carefully. It may be possible to reschedule a race toward the end of the season.”

Under the most optimistic scenario, one of the two races—either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia—could potentially be reinserted into the calendar by using the currently empty slot between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Right now, this appears to be the most realistic option because it would avoid major structural changes to the championship calendar. Even so, the consequences would still be significant, as it would create three consecutive triple-header sequences in the final phase of the season, placing enormous strain on teams, drivers, and operational staff.

The situation becomes considerably more complicated if Formula 1 wants to recover both races instead of just one. From late October onward, the championship moves into its American leg, leaving little realistic room to insert a Middle Eastern round in November. In theory, adding an extra event at the very end of the season would be more geographically logical, since Formula 1 already returns to the Middle East for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, even that seemingly straightforward option comes with major complications.

Contractually, Abu Dhabi is required to remain the final race of the Formula 1 season. That means any additional Grand Prix would require pushing the Abu Dhabi finale back by at least one week, extending the championship even closer to the Christmas break. There is also another practical consideration: after the Yas Marina finale, teams are already expected to remain in the Middle East for several days to participate in Pirelli testing, gathering important tyre data for the 2027 regulations.

That would not simply extend the calendar—it would also create an unprecedented stretch of four consecutive race weekends when combined with Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. A period that is already physically and mentally exhausting would become even more intense, especially considering that not all team personnel can be rotated. It is easy to understand why this remains more of a background option for now, even though the financial incentive would be substantial for the teams and Formula 1 alike.

All of these discussions are based on the most favorable scenario—that the Middle East conflict stabilizes quickly enough to make a return feasible. The reality, however, remains highly uncertain. The geopolitical environment is extremely volatile, and it cannot be ruled out that even the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later in the year could come under scrutiny if the international situation deteriorates further.

On that front, Formula 1 has already confirmed that contingency plans are in place to prevent the championship from losing too many races, which would create significant commercial and sporting consequences. Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, addressed the issue directly.

“We have plans,” Domenicali said. “The timing and deadlines change depending on whether we are talking about recovering races that were not held in April, or potential issues that could emerge in late November or early December. We are coordinating with teams and promoters, because every decision creates a chain reaction.”

There is a major organizational challenge: finding alternative logistics hubs

But beyond the scheduling issue, the operational challenge may be even more difficult than simply finding an open weekend. Because of the conflict, both Formula 1 teams and Pirelli—which was conducting a tyre test session when the first missile strikes occurred—have found themselves with equipment still stranded in Bahrain, where pre-season testing had taken place.

The larger issue is that the Middle East serves as a critical logistics hub for Formula 1. Many teams route freight destined for Asian races through cities such as Dubai or Doha, partly because of strategic partnerships connected to Formula 1 operations. The disruption forced teams to rapidly identify alternative arrangements even ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, which was already separated in timing from Australia and China.

For that reason, looking at the second half of the season, Singapore emerges as one of the most complicated races to manage, both in terms of equipment transport and personnel movement. The uncertainty surrounding the conflict means teams may need to completely redesign their freight strategies, identifying replacement routes that guarantee both safety and operational efficiency.

The cost issue: freight transport counts toward the budget cap

That word—efficiency—is absolutely critical. Under Formula 1’s financial regulations, travel expenses such as hotels, flights, buses, taxis, and accommodation directly linked to traveling personnel are excluded from the budget cap. Freight shipping, however, is treated very differently.

The transportation of race equipment, spare parts, garage infrastructure, and other materials does count toward the cost cap, directly impacting team finances. The conflict has already increased transport costs, and being forced to use alternative freight routes instead of established logistics channels will only make the situation worse, particularly for smaller teams operating with tighter financial margins.

Haas Head of Car Engineering Hoady Nidd addressed the issue directly.

“Transport costs have increased,” Nidd explained.

“For smaller teams, that has an even bigger impact—not because our expenses are necessarily different from the larger teams, but because those costs represent a much more significant portion of our overall budget. We are now evaluating the rest of the season. There are also chain reactions beyond air freight: our logistics department is also working intensively on sea freight arrangements connected to Bahrain and Jeddah.”

These factors help explain why even reintroducing just one of the two Grands Prix between Baku and Singapore would be far from straightforward. Every team operates multiple freight kits moving by sea according to the planned calendar, and adding an unexpected race would require rethinking the entire allocation process, shifting infrastructure to accommodate an event that was not originally scheduled.

This is manageable when teams have several months of notice. It becomes dramatically harder when the timeline remains uncertain. On top of that, there is the issue of transferring materials directly between race weekends. Sustainability regulations also impose specific shipping processes, meaning teams cannot simply improvise without consequences. For some teams, containers—including chassis—returned to factories at least a week later than planned after the Japanese Grand Prix.

The human factor: this would be more than just a brutal schedule

Finally, there is perhaps the most delicate issue of all: the human cost.

Top teams generally have larger staff pools, making it easier to rotate personnel throughout the season. Smaller teams do not enjoy that luxury. Their resources are more limited, rotations are harder to organize, and adding another race would significantly increase both workload and stress levels.

Not every team role can be rotated, either. While Formula 1 has developed systems in recent years to rotate mechanics more effectively due to the growing number of races, other positions require continuity. Race engineers assigned to specific drivers, specialist engineers, sporting directors, and personnel responsible for trackside operations must often remain present at every single event.

To put the scale into perspective, adding one more race would turn the second half of the Formula 1 season into a stretch of 12 Grands Prix in just 16 weeks. For personnel required to attend every round, that would mean spending nearly four months away from home.

That is not simply a demanding calendar. It is a true endurance test—technically, physically, and emotionally—especially at the most intense point of the Formula 1 season.

Formula 1 could still restore its original 24-race vision for the 2026 season, with ongoing discussions reportedly centered around the possible return of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix later in the year.

After both Middle Eastern events were removed from the early part of the championship calendar due to regional instability and security concerns, Formula 1 management, the FIA and Liberty Media have continued evaluating multiple contingency plans designed to recover at least part of the lost schedule.

While the current working calendar remains shorter than initially planned, the possibility of reintroducing races at the Bahrain International Circuit or the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is still understood to be very much alive.

The situation remains highly dependent on geopolitical developments, logistical feasibility and negotiations with Formula 1 teams, promoters and commercial partners.

Formula 1 exploring several calendar scenarios for 2026 season

According to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, several alternative calendar structures are already being examined internally as the sport attempts to preserve commercial stability and maintain a balanced championship schedule.

One of the most discussed solutions reportedly involves placing the Bahrain Grand Prix between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Singapore Grand Prix later in the season. Another option could see the final phase of the Formula 1 calendar extended into December in order to create room for either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

Additional ideas have also reportedly been considered behind the scenes, including the possibility of organizing back-to-back race weekends in Las Vegas. Because the Las Vegas Grand Prix is directly promoted by Formula 1 itself through Liberty Media, that scenario could provide greater scheduling flexibility compared to more traditional promoter agreements.

However, modifying a modern Formula 1 calendar is an enormously complex operation. Every alteration impacts freight logistics, team travel schedules, personnel management, broadcasting agreements and local race promoters.

For that reason, Formula 1 leadership appears determined to avoid rushed decisions despite increasing pressure to finalize the calendar before the summer period.

Stefano Domenicali signals caution over Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP return

The former Ferrari team boss reportedly indicated that Formula 1’s priority remains broader global stability rather than simply recovering race weekends. The Italian executive suggested that contingency plans already exist, although Formula 1 hopes they ultimately will not need to activate emergency scheduling measures.

According to Stefano Domenicali, the deadlines associated with potentially replacing the cancelled spring races differ significantly from the logistical decisions connected to the closing weeks of the season in November and December.

He also reportedly emphasized that Formula 1 continues coordinating closely with teams and event organizers because even a single calendar adjustment creates a long chain of operational consequences across the championship.

The Formula 1 paddock is therefore waiting for clarity as Liberty Media and the FIA attempt to determine whether conditions will allow Bahrain or Saudi Arabia to safely return later in 2026.

Liberty Media preparing for reduced Formula 1 schedule

Despite the possibility of additional races being reintroduced, Liberty Media executives have acknowledged that current financial and operational projections are still based around a reduced Formula 1 calendar.

During recent discussions with investors, Liberty Media chief financial officer Brian Wendling reportedly explained that the organization is presently working under the assumption of a 22-race Formula 1 season.

Nevertheless, Liberty Media still appears interested in relocating one of the postponed races to the second half of the championship if conditions improve sufficiently in the coming months.

Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang reportedly echoed that position, suggesting that Formula 1 management continues evaluating all available alternatives while aiming to make a final decision as quickly as possible.

The goal is to provide teams with maximum preparation time for freight planning, staffing and technical scheduling during the demanding final stages of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.

Potential impact on Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

Any expansion of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar would further increase pressure on teams and drivers already facing one of the most physically and logistically demanding schedules in motorsport history.

For Scuderia Ferrari, additional long-haul races could become especially significant as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc continue adapting to an increasingly competitive championship fight against McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.

The possible return of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could also influence the development race throughout the second half of the season, particularly because both circuits place unique demands on tire management, aerodynamic efficiency and power unit performance.

As Formula 1 prepares for a crucial regulatory transition period ahead of the 2027 technical rules discussions, maintaining calendar stability has become a major priority for both the FIA and Liberty Media.

For now, the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix remain officially uncertain — but behind the scenes, Formula 1 appears determined to keep every option on the table.

The Formula 1 2026 calendar could be set for another major revision, as the sport evaluates potential solutions to replace the two Middle Eastern rounds that were removed from the early part of the season. With both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix originally scheduled for April now canceled, discussions are ongoing about how best to restructure the calendar while maintaining the championship’s global balance.

The cancellations were prompted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Arabian Peninsula, following a series of military developments involving Iran. As a direct consequence, Formula 1, together with the FIA, opted to withdraw the events from their original slots due to safety concerns and logistical uncertainties. However, while the April races were officially called off, the governing body did not completely exclude the possibility of rescheduling them later in the year.

Recent indications suggest that the situation in the region may be stabilizing, opening the door for a potential return of both venues. The circuits in Sakhir and Jeddah are reportedly preparing contingency plans that would allow them to host a Grand Prix if a suitable window is identified. This scenario has gained further credibility following comments from Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who indicated internally that alternative dates were actively being evaluated.

Potential dates emerge as F1 searches for calendar solutions

Within the paddock, it is understood that Formula 1 management has identified at least one viable gap in the schedule that could accommodate an additional race weekend. According to paddock sources, early October has emerged as the most realistic option, with the October 2–4 slot positioned between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Singapore Grand Prix.

From a logistical standpoint, the Bahrain International Circuit is considered the more practical candidate for rescheduling. Freight operations, infrastructure readiness, and existing contractual flexibility make Bahrain a more straightforward solution compared to other alternatives. As a result, the Bahrain Grand Prix is currently viewed as the leading option for reintegration into the 2026 calendar.

At the same time, there is growing pressure from stakeholders in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the Jeddah Corniche Circuit also regains its place on the schedule. Officials linked to the event are reportedly pushing for a late-season return, highlighting the strategic importance of the race within Formula 1’s expansion plans in the region.

Late-season congestion raises concerns for teams and fans

One of the more complex proposals under consideration involves inserting an additional Grand Prix into the already packed final phase of the season. This could potentially result in a sequence of four consecutive race weekends, stretching from the Las Vegas Grand Prix through to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In such a scenario, a new race could be positioned between the Qatar Grand Prix and the season finale at Yas Marina. This adjustment would likely push the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix back by one week, moving it to mid-December. While this approach would allow both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to remain part of the championship, it introduces significant challenges.

The strain on team personnel and operational staff is a major concern, particularly given the already demanding nature of the modern Formula 1 calendar. Extending the season further into December would increase fatigue levels and logistical complexity, especially for teams managing back-to-back long-haul events.

Fan-related considerations also play a crucial role in the decision-making process. Many spectators have already secured travel arrangements for Abu Dhabi based on its original early-December date. Any changes to the season finale could therefore create complications for ticket holders, hospitality clients, and event organizers.

Additionally, contractual obligations must be respected. The Yas Marina Circuit is bound by agreement to host the final race of the Formula 1 season, limiting the flexibility available to championship organizers when reshuffling the calendar.

Uncertainty remains as F1 evaluates next steps

At this stage, no definitive decision has been made regarding the reintroduction of the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Formula 1 continues to assess multiple scenarios, balancing sporting integrity, logistical feasibility, and commercial commitments.

The coming weeks are expected to be decisive, with further updates likely as discussions progress between Formula 1, the FIA, race promoters, and regional authorities. What remains clear is that the 2026 Formula 1 season is far from finalized, and additional changes to the calendar cannot be ruled out.

For Ferrari and the rest of the teams preparing for an already intense campaign, any modifications could have a significant impact on performance strategies, travel planning, and overall championship dynamics. As Formula 1 continues to expand and adapt, calendar flexibility is becoming an increasingly important factor in shaping the future of the sport.

War and Formula 1

The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has directly impacted two countries scheduled to host Formula 1 races in April: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Both events – originally set for April 12 and April 19, respectively – are now at high risk, although F1 leadership is proceeding cautiously in public statements.

A 22-race season?

Sky Sports UK reported that a decision on the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix will be made “no later than March 20.” Importantly, the two events will not be replaced, meaning the 2026 calendar would shrink from 24 to 22 races. Alternatives like Portimão and Imola were considered, but the time required to organize such events was too short to integrate them into the 2026 schedule.

If these two Grands Prix are canceled, a five-week gap would appear between the third race in Japan (March 29) and the following round in Miami (May 3). Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 CEO, commented: “Our approach is focused on the safety of all parties involved. We don’t want to make statements today because the situation is evolving, and we have time to make the right decision, which will be taken together. This has already not been an easy week: we had people in Dubai and Bahrain for the Pirelli test and in Doha. We had booked many flights across the Middle East and had to reschedule everything.”

The potential loss of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds signals a major shift for the 2026 season, potentially leaving fans with a significant spring break while the sport prioritizes safety over a 24-race marathon. As Stefano Domenicali coordinates the complex task of rerouting personnel and equipment, the upcoming March 20 deadline will finally provide the clarity needed to understand how this shortened championship will unfold.

Tensions in the Middle East are escalating, and now more than ever, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix are at risk of being canceled for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The sport’s governing bodies may have to consider reducing the number of races on the calendar if the situation does not improve.

The first warning sign came last week when Pirelli canceled the special tire tests in Bahrain due to the joint U.S. and Israeli attack in Iran. This was followed by the closure of airspace in Doha and Dubai, after missile strikes targeted U.S. embassies in the region.

Logistical problems have already affected Formula 1: thousands of team members and staff were stranded in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while others had to find alternative routes to reach Australia without passing through the Middle East.

The situation remains highly dramatic and is unlikely to find a short-term solution. The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 10–12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the week after. Missile strikes have not only targeted U.S. military bases but have also hit hotels, civilian infrastructure, and energy facilities in both regions.

The U.S. naval base in the Bahraini capital, Manama, has already been struck by Iranian missiles. This area, located in Juffair, also hosts F1 personnel during the race weekend. Four years ago, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia was targeted by Houthi rebels, who launched missiles just a few kilometers from the circuit, near the oil refinery.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia: replacement or cancellation?

The FIA has issued a statement saying that it continues to monitor the situation closely. However, even if a ceasefire is reached within a month, managing two Grands Prix in the region remains highly complicated due to the risk of potential delays or incidents in the conflict zones.

Canceling the two races would also result in a massive financial loss: the fees paid by the two Arab countries amount to over $100 million, which would not be reimbursed in the event of cancellation.

Could replacing the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races be the solution? The Formula 1 calendar is subject to highly delicate logistical arrangements, making it almost impossible to reschedule on short notice. Among the proposals are hosting replacement races at Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy, or Istanbul in Turkey. However, this remains unrealistic, as organizing a Grand Prix and selling tickets in such a short timeframe is nearly impossible.

Another possibility considered is holding a second race in Japan after the Suzuka Grand Prix, scheduled for March 27–29. Yet, this solution also appears unfeasible: the benefits would be limited compared to the logistical and personnel challenges for the teams and F1 staff.

It is far more likely that the 2026 calendar will be reduced from 24 to 22 races. For now, all that can be done is to continue monitoring the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, hoping the conflict does not escalate further.