Formula 1 could have a large gap in the 2026 season calendar. According to information from RacingNews265, the category faces a possible scenario of having no races during the month of April due to the conflict in the Middle East.
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Earlier this week, news was released that contingency plans were being debated in case the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled. This is because Iran is responding to attacks from the United States and Israel by sending missiles to neighboring countries, as well as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar.
In Bahrain, a US base was hit and exploded, while Saudi Arabian energy bases were also targeted. More explosions were reported on Thursday in Bahrain.
While Formula 1 is monitoring the situation and working with the relevant authorities, there is no denying that the clock is ticking and the dates on the calendar are getting closer.
But a logistical problem is coming: the cargo from the Chinese GP, which takes place next week, is needed for Bahrain. To deal with all the logistics and bureaucracy, a decision needs to be made quickly, in addition to Bahrain airport being declared safe for flight operations – at the moment, Middle Eastern airspace is closed.
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Regarding race hosting fees, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay a combined minimum of $100 million.
At this point in the conflict, force majeure would force the cancellation of both races, as it would not be safe for Formula 1 to travel to either of these countries. As a result, the fees would not be paid and, in a massive snowball effect, a deficit in the category’s annual revenue could occur.
Although the category is looking for replacements for the races, with Imola and Portugal emerging as options, it has become increasingly clear that there may be no GPs between Japan and Miami, as reported by RacingNews365.
The biggest concern for GPs in Italy or Portugal, for example, is the logistics required to organize a round with such short notice and raise enough money from ticket sales to cover any hosting fees.
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