F1 Readies 2027 Calendar Backup Amid Middle East War
SkimNews Take
Repeated cancellations push F1's calendar gravity back toward European circuits, making aging venues structurally critical to the sport's schedule once more.
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- Stefano Domenicali confirmed F1 has multiple contingency plans for the 2027 calendar if the Middle East conflict persists, with a decision trigger expected at year-end and a target of maintaining 24 races regardless of what happens in the Gulf.
- Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were already cancelled this season due to the US-Israel war with Iran, and the 2026 season will end in Europe if Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs are also lost, per Domenicali.
- Turkey and Portugal will return to the calendar to replace Zandvoort, which hosts its final Dutch GP August 21-23, and Barcelona.
- F1 is in active talks with Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, and Argentina for future races — driven partly by Franco Colapinto's popularity boost in Argentina — though any new events would join no earlier than 2028.
- Hockenheim has emerged as a surprise contender after new ownership and a different investment model prompted F1 discussions, with Domenicali noting renewed growth in the European market.
- Domenicali said F1 has more requests from China and Japan but wants to consolidate the Chinese market with a single race before considering expansion there.
Why it matters: Losing Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi simultaneously would force permanent calendar restructuring — which is why F1 is simultaneously negotiating with Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Argentina, and Germany while insisting the 24-race target stays intact. The 2027 schedule announcement is being delayed until autumn specifically to preserve optionality until year-end.
