F1 calendar set for major change as 2027 season opener reshuffled. Formula 1’s 2027 calendar could see Bahrain return as the season-opening Grand Prix.

The Formula 1 calendar continues to evolve. After several seasons in which Australia or other venues have hosted the opening round, the 2027 Bahrain Grand Prix is expected to return as the first race of the F1 season.

The decision is primarily linked to the religious calendar. Ramadan will conclude on March 8, allowing the race weekend to be scheduled immediately afterwards. Pre-season testing, as happened this year, is likely to take place during the Ramadan period.

Bahrain to open the F1 season again?

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is expected to remain paired with Bahrain, a now well-established solution that helps streamline logistics in the Middle East. The calendar would then move on to Australia, with Melbourne provisionally scheduled for early April.

At that time of year, Australia will be transitioning out of summer, with temperatures gradually beginning to drop. This variable could have a significant impact on race strategy and tyre management, adding another layer of intrigue to the early part of the championship.

The Japanese Grand Prix is set to follow the Australian round. In 2026, Suzuka is scheduled for March 27–29, but in 2027 it could move to mid-April. Such a shift would allow for a more balanced distribution of the opening races and improved management of intercontinental travel.

The position of the Chinese Grand Prix, however, remains uncertain. Scheduling three consecutive flyaway races at the start of the season is not an easily acceptable solution for teams, which are already dealing with increasingly complex logistics. Formula 1 is therefore working to strike a compromise between commercial requirements, weather conditions and operational sustainability.

The changes under consideration for 2027 may represent only the first step. Further adjustments could also be introduced in 2028, with the aim of creating a more rational calendar and reducing logistical strain. A return to Bahrain as the opening race would mark a revival of a previously tested format, with the Middle East once again launching what promises to be another long and intense Formula 1 season.