Imola and Barcelona have emerged as possible additions to the 2027 F1 calendar as Formula 1 prepares contingency plans in response to the continuing conflict in the Middle East. Barcelona is also reportedly negotiating with the FIA and Formula 1 over hosting next year’s pre-season test if safety concerns prevent the championship from returning to Bahrain.
The official calendar for the 2027 Formula 1 season is expected to be released only in the autumn because of the conflict that has affected the Middle East since the beginning of the year. Although pre-season testing is currently due to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Autosport Japan reports that officials from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya are holding talks about moving the test to Spain.
Barcelona begins talks over 2027 F1 testing
Further indications have emerged that negotiations are taking place. According to the Japanese publication, a delegation representing the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was spotted in the paddock at both the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix.
Barcelona served as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix for many years, but Madrid has secured the rights to stage the event at its new circuit. The Catalan venue is consequently expected to become part of a rotation system alongside Spa-Francorchamps and is not currently scheduled to appear on the 2027 F1 calendar. Its position can be viewed in the context of the current Formula 1 calendar, which includes races in both Barcelona and Madrid.
Nevertheless, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya general manager Josep Lluís Santamaría has not abandoned hope of changing that situation. As conditions in the Middle East become increasingly uncertain, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali must prepare an alternative calendar in case the championship remains unable to race in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi during 2027.
How Imola and Barcelona could enter the 2027 F1 calendar
If the four Middle Eastern rounds cannot take place, securing alternative venues in Europe would represent Formula 1’s safest option. Weather conditions would create another complication, however, as Europe is far from ideal for racing during April or between late November and early December.
One proposal currently under consideration would begin the 2027 season with the Chinese Grand Prix, followed by Australia as the second round and Japan as the third. One of Barcelona or Imola would then host a Grand Prix, while the other circuit would be added in May between Montréal and Monaco. These two European races would serve as alternatives to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The possibility of bringing Imola back reflects the wider European contingency plan being considered by Formula 1 as the championship attempts to protect its schedule from further disruption.
Regarding the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, there is hope within Formula 1 that the conflict will not continue for another 14 months. Stefano Domenicali is therefore not treating the end of the 2027 campaign as an immediate priority.
Barcelona could replace Bahrain for 2027 pre-season testing
The more urgent concern is preparing for the beginning of next season. Security worries are increasing in Sakhir, and Bahrain risks losing not only the right to stage the opening race of 2027 but also the pre-season test unless the situation improves significantly over the next eight weeks.
Barcelona is now emerging as the main alternative. The circuit is ready to host a single four-day pre-season testing session at the end of February. Barcelona staged Formula 1 testing for many years before the championship moved the event to Bahrain, which had presented more financially attractive conditions.
If conditions in the Middle East do not improve in the short term, Barcelona could become the home of Formula 1’s next pre-season test. An official announcement is expected around the middle of September, the same period in which Stefano Domenicali has indicated that further clarity should emerge regarding the publication of the 2027 Formula 1 calendar.
Such a decision would also strengthen Imola’s chances of returning to the championship as a Grand Prix venue, potentially giving both historic European circuits an unexpected route back into Formula 1 in 2027.
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