The 2026 Formula 1 calendar remains a completely open situation. Liberty Media and the FIA are currently waiting to understand how the conflict in the Middle East will evolve, while at the same time preparing several alternative scenarios that would need to be implemented before the end of the summer.
Following the postponement of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix to dates yet to be confirmed, the main objective is at least to avoid losing any further races from the schedule. With Qatar and Abu Dhabi also facing potential risks due to the geopolitical situation, a possible Plan B is beginning to emerge, including the chance of bringing the Turkish Grand Prix back one year earlier than planned, while Silverstone has also reportedly offered to host an additional race if necessary.
Still, more surprises could yet emerge regarding the shape of the 2026 Formula 1 world championship calendar.
What is Formula 1’s Plan A?
While those alternatives represent the emergency solution, it is no secret that Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 management will do everything possible not only to hold the remaining scheduled Middle Eastern races, but also to recover the two events already postponed in Sakhir and Jeddah. There are, after all, more than 100 million pounds already involved and largely paid long ago.
To achieve that goal, Formula 1 would need to push the calendar back as much as possible, even though there are currently very few available race weekends left in the schedule. Spanish photographer and insider José María Rubio, a Formula 1 veteran who has covered more than 50 seasons and over 700 Grands Prix since 1972, has revealed fresh rumours suggesting that the championship could even be extended right up to the Christmas holiday period.
According to Rubio, the current proposal for the calendar would place the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah between Baku and Singapore during the October 2-4 weekend. Abu Dhabi would then be delayed by two weeks in order to make room for Bahrain after the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for December 4-6.
As a result, in order to avoid having four consecutive Grands Prix from Las Vegas onwards at the end of the season, the 2026 Formula 1 championship could eventually conclude as late as December 20.
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