Formula 1 has practically ruled out any possibility of rescheduling the Bahrain GP on the 2026 calendar. With the new escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, concern now also extends to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds, scheduled to close the season.
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The race promoters, the category, and the teams continue to evaluate alternatives to preserve a calendar with as many races as possible. However, given the rapid evolution of the geopolitical situation, there is still no solution considered viable, and decisions about the remaining races in the region are expected to be made after the August break.
The 2026 season suffered a major impact after the worsening of hostilities involving Iran and the United States. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had already been removed from the calendar after the conflict began in January, and there was an expectation that the race in Sakhir would be rescheduled for the weekend between the Singapore and Azerbaijan GPs.
However, this plan was abandoned after the intensification of U.S. military operations against Iran and Tehran’s response, which attacked American military bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Given this scenario, Formula 1 again removed the Bahrain GP from the provisional schedule.
Behind the scenes, category officials are analyzing different scenarios to fill the slot left by the race in Sakhir. Turkey has been reconsidered as a possible substitute, but the Istanbul Park circuit still needs to carry out interventions required by the FIA, including modifications to the curbs and safety barriers. These works would depend on direct support from the Turkish government before the track could host an F1 GP.
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Although the teams do not look favorably on holding two races at the same circuit during a single season, there is an understanding that maintaining at least 22 rounds is essential. Besides the teams’ commitments to sponsors, Liberty Media also needs to fulfill broadcasting contracts that establish a minimum number of races in the championship.
Uncertainty also reaches the final stretch of the season. The Qatar GP, scheduled for November 29, and Abu Dhabi, set for December 6, remain under observation while Formula 1 awaits possible diplomatic advances in the region. Portimão and Imola were even mentioned as alternatives, although a return to Europe is considered unlikely due to logistical challenges after the Madrid round.
A decision cannot take long. Sources from the paddock indicate that the deadline to decide the format of the season finale should be the Dutch GP, which marks Formula 1’s return after the mid-year break. Meanwhile, categories such as Formula 2 and Formula 3 also await an official position, as their calendars depend directly on the decisions made by the main motorsport category in the world.
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