Improving Gulf situation could restore the 2026 Formula 1 calendar to 23 races
The recent ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending attacks in the Persian Gulf, could open the door for Formula 1 to return to its original 23-race calendar in 2026.
Although the geopolitical situation remains uncertain and isolated incidents have continued despite the ceasefire announcement, growing stability could allow Formula 1 to reschedule at least one of the two Middle Eastern Grands Prix that were postponed earlier this season. Liberty Media is keen to restore the championship to its planned 23 events, and Formula One Group President and CEO Stefano Domenicali discussed the possibility while speaking to Sky UK journalists in the Silverstone paddock.
Bahrain Grand Prix seen as the preferred option
Domenicali’s preferred solution would be to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix during the only realistic gap remaining in the calendar, between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Singapore Grand Prix.
The proposed date is the weekend of October 4, creating a manageable triple-header from both a logistical and sporting perspective. Teams would travel directly from Baku—where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled on Saturday to accommodate a national holiday—to Bahrain before heading to Marina Bay for the Singapore Grand Prix the following weekend.
Bahrain is considered the most practical option because the Sakhir circuit is a permanent racing facility, making it significantly easier to organize a Formula 1 event on relatively short notice compared to other venues.
Stefano Domenicali: “If the opportunity exists, why shouldn’t we take it?”
Any decision, however, must be made before Formula 1’s summer break. That means an announcement would need to arrive no later than the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, scheduled for July 26 in Budapest.
For that to happen, the political situation in the Persian Gulf will need to stabilize quickly.
“If there is something we can announce,” Domenicali told Sky UK, “also regarding the possibility of seeing whether there is room for something that has not been possible so far, we will do it at the right time and under the right conditions. That is genuinely our hope because, if every condition is favourable, we will move forward with our plan. If there is an opportunity, why shouldn’t we take it?”
He continued:
“I think that, if we are going to take advantage of the possibility of holding one of the Grands Prix that we have not yet been able to race, we will have to do it before the summer break. Our responsibility is to ensure that we are ready to deliver the calendar as planned. We are monitoring the situation closely because it would send an incredibly positive message for our sport, and politically as well, if we can move in this direction. If we are able to race in the Middle East again, it would mean that everything that has happened is finally behind us.”
Portimão backup plan becoming less likely
At the same time, the easing of tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran could also allow Formula 1 to complete the season according to its original schedule, with the Qatar Grand Prix followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The final two races of the 2026 championship remain scheduled for the weekends of November 29 and December 6. However, Formula 1 had been preparing contingency plans in case the Middle Eastern events became impossible to stage. Stefano Domenicali previously confirmed that a “Plan B” was ready if necessary.
One of the options under consideration was the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, which is expected to return to the Formula 1 calendar in the coming seasons. Thanks to Portugal’s mild autumn climate, the venue would have been capable of hosting a late-season Grand Prix if required.
Should the situation in the Middle East continue to improve, however, that contingency plan would become unnecessary, allowing Formula 1 to conclude the 2026 season as originally intended with races in Lusail and Abu Dhabi.
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