When the war in the Middle East began, all the talk was about how the US would engineer an exit strategy. The theory was that given the mid-term elections coming for Congress in November, Donald Trump would not engage in a lengthy conflict to avoid his party delegates suffering at the ballot box.
Now well into its third month and with no realistic chances of an imminent breakthrough, Formula One is turning its eyes towards the other two races which are to be held in the region. Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are just a few miles across the Persian Gulf from the shores of Iran and so, like Bahrain, are easy targets for the Islamist regime’s short-range drone swarms.
There was some speculation that F1 would be able to reschedule one of the lost race weekends should the war subside, with some suggesting either Bahrain or Abu Dhabi could be slotted into the weekend between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grand Prix.
Timing for rescheduled races nigh on impossible
Yet as TJ13 observed then, the time of year is all wrong for a race in the Middle East, given the 2023 experience where the Qatar Grand Prix was held over the first weekend in October. Despite the race being held after sunset, ambient temperatures remained around 32°C (90°F) with suffocating humidity exceeding 70%. Cockpit temperatures were reported to reach as high as 50°C–70°C.
The track layout of the Lusail circuit consists almost entirely of high-speed corners with very few straights, meaning the drivers consistently experience high G-force levels across 57 laps. Logan Sargeant was forced to retire his Williams due to heatstroke and dehydration, having been weakened by the flu several days prior to the race.
Esteban Ocon revealed he vomited in his helmet on lap 15 but continued to race, eventually finishing 7th. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll admitted to “passing out” momentarily in high-speed corners due to blurred vision. After finishing, he was seen staggering toward an ambulance.
Alex Albon was treated at the medical center for acute heat exhaustion and had to be helped out of his car, while George Russell described how he was on the edge of fainting and was seen lifting his hands off the steering wheel on the straights just to get some airflow into his gloves.
F1’s CEO suggests one race could be rescheduled
Qatar was moved the following year to become the penultimate race of the year and was held the first weekend in December. And this is the reason why there will be no Bahrain nor Saudi Grand Prix held on the last weekend of September. When it appeared as though the races in the Middle East scheduled for April would have to be cancelled, time was short and so alternative venues were unable to be arranged.
Further, there would have been the inevitable arguments over whether hosting fees were payable, given Saudi and Bahrain represent about 10% of FOM’s hosting revenue in a typical season. Yet these issues should already be resolved with Qatar and Abu Dhabi with alternative options ready in the wings.
Despite the apparent logistical impossibilities, Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang is quoted by The Race as saying: “It might be possible to reschedule one race toward the end of the season.” Given the year ends with two triple-headers with just one week in between, this means any reprieve for either the Bahrain or Saudi Grand Prix would require another weekend after the planned season finale in Abu Dhabi (December 4-6).
Currently, it is more likely that F1 will need to find alternative venues for the end-of-season run-in, which is not a simple task given the whole of Europe by then is in the grip of winter. Florida would be an option given the climate is benign all year round, but by then the Miami Dolphins’ stadium will have been converted back to its primary purpose—to host NFL games. The season will be in full flow and the build of the international Miami Autodrome is not the work of a week or two.
F1 addresses potential two more race cancellations for 2026
F1’s CEO has now addressed the uncomfortable reality that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races may be forcibly cancelled. “The only thing I can say is that we have plans, hopefully not to be applied, because we really hope that the situation for the world, not only for the racing, will go back to a normal situation,” Stefano Domenicali told The Race.
“Of course, the lead time, or the cut-off really, is different between what we can eventually recover that has not been run in April versus what could eventually happen or not happen in the end of November, beginning of December. We are, of course, aligning with the teams and with the promoters, because that’s something that has a big chain of reaction.”
While the teams and drivers often complain about F1’s annual 24-race schedule, any fall in hosting fees affects the prize pot which is shared amongst the F1 competitors. So to lose another two races this year would be financially punitive for the entire F1 circus.
“In due time, we will keep everyone informed. But I hope you understand if we just say something that will be a speculation that we want to avoid, because, as I said, the first hope is to make sure that we go back to the place that we should be,” Domenicali concludes.
Falling below 22 races a financial disaster for F1
Falling below 22 races is a further disaster for Liberty Media, given this marks the point where the TV broadcasters begin to receive substantial rebates. In total, F1 is probably down around $200m for the loss of the two April races, which will feed down to the teams at more than $5m each.
The contracted fleet of 747 airplanes that carry the F1 freight around the world also becomes an issue. And given the tight turnarounds with a number of the back-to-back races towards the end of the year, F1 will be forced to pay for the air freight whether the planes fly or not.
It’s difficult to understand where F1 can go to replace the Middle Eastern races if required. Ideally, the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying summer at that time. Yet most of the FIA Grade 1 accredited circuits are in the Northern Hemisphere and so options like India may have to be considered; and given their government is now hankering for a return of its GP, this could be a way F1 tests the water.
There will of course be those who say ‘I told you so’ given the risk F1 takes by having four racing weekends in one of the most troubled locations geopolitically. Yet the oil money is good for the sport and Liberty Media will argue the reward is on the whole worth the risk – or until now it has been anyway.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
