Faced with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Formula 1 could be forced to urgently review its April calendar. Several circuits are waiting in the wings to avoid a gaping hole at the start of the season.
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Formula 1 finds itself in a delicate position. With rising tensions in the Middle East, the Grands Prix scheduled for Sakhir and Jeddah are under close surveillance. The Bahrain Grand Prix (April 12) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (April 19) could be under threat if the security situation does not improve.
The FIA, through its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, recalled that “safety and well-being will guide our decisions”. A clear message: no compromise will be made if the conditions are not met.
This would not be a first. In 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix had already been cancelled due to political unrest. More recently, in 2022, strikes near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit cast a shadow over the Saudi weekend.
Imola, the most credible solution?
In the event of cancellation, F1’s priority would be to avoid a month-long break as early as the third round. The most logical option seems to be the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.
Accustomed to serving as a replacement during the Covid period, Imola has a ready infrastructure and a strategic location in the heart of Europe. In April, temperatures there are cool but acceptable, and above all, teams can transport equipment by road, considerably reducing logistical complexity.
Portimão and Istanbul waiting in the wings
Another serious candidate: the Portuguese Grand Prix, organized at the Algarve International Circuit. Highly appreciated by drivers for its undulating layout, it already hosted F1 in 2020 and 2021. Its spring climate, generally mild and dry, plays in its favor. An Imola–Portimão sequence in the form of a double-header would be coherent.
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The Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park remains an attractive option on paper. However, the April weather in Turkey can be cool and damp, as shown by the circuit’s eventful return during the pandemic. This complicates tire preparation and the optimal operation of the cars.
Germany and France: pragmatic solutions
Germany could also return to the conversation. The German Grand Prix has been hosted alternately by the Nürburgring and the Hockenheimring. While the April weather there is uncertain, the logistical advantage is undeniable for teams mostly based in Europe.
The same logic applies to the French Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul Ricard. The site offers more stable weather conditions in the spring and could easily be integrated into a coherent European sequence.
The nostalgic bet: Sepang
Finally, the choice of the heart would be the Malaysian Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit. Absent from the F1 calendar since 2017, Sepang remains highly appreciated by the paddock.
But a return in April would involve sweltering heat, extreme humidity, and unpredictable tropical storms. Logistically more expensive, this option would nonetheless offer an attractive mix of novelty and nostalgia.
In the event of cancellation in the Middle East, F1 will have to choose between logistical pragmatism, weather conditions, and sporting attractiveness. Europe is the frontrunner, but recent history has shown that the sport knows how to improvise when the situation demands it.
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