Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Grands Prix, initially postponed due to Middle East conflict, are not officially canceled, with F1 pushing hard to reschedule them later in the season. Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang confirmed F1 leadership is "working day and night" to recover at least one event.
The most viable option involves slotting one race between Baku and Singapore in September, creating a challenging three-consecutive-triple-header stretch. Rescheduling both races is tougher. It would push the season closer to Christmas, requiring Abu Dhabi's finale to shift. This scenario could also create an unprecedented four-race sequence, *including Las Vegas*, making an already demanding late-season schedule even more brutal for teams.
Beyond calendar headaches, the conflict has stranded equipment and forced teams to find alternative logistical hubs for flyaway races. Freight costs, which fall under the budget cap, are already soaring. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed backup plans are in place, even for end-of-year races like Qatar and Abu Dhabi, as the sport navigates ongoing regional instability. The potential for a massively extended, high-pressure season looms large.
Read the full story at Autosport