Stefano Domenicali confirms that F1 still plans to start the 2027 season in Bahrain, while preparing alternative solutions.
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Formula 1 continues preparing its 2027 calendar with a clear goal: to keep the season start identical to what was initially planned.
Stefano Domenicali confirmed that the 2027 season calendar will be unveiled in the fall and that, for now, the intention remains to launch the championship in Bahrain before following up with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a week later.
The Italian executive specifies, however, that this scenario will depend directly on the evolution of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
“The calendar will be presented in the fall. This is the scenario planned today.”
Alternative solutions are already ready
The ongoing war in the region maintains strong uncertainty about the unfolding of the first rounds of the season.
Formula 1 therefore prefers to anticipate all possibilities.
“If the situation in the Middle East is not resolved, we have several options and several alternative plans.”
Domenicali also reveals that the sport will not make a decision immediately.
The final calendar can still be adjusted until the end of the year.
“The decisive moment will come at the end of the year. We therefore still have plenty of time to adapt.”
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The priority goes far beyond Formula 1
The head of the sport reminds, however, that sporting concerns take a back seat to the international context.
According to him, if the region remains unstable to the point of preventing the organization of the Grands Prix, it will mean that the situation is much more serious than just postponing motor racing events.
“If the situation in this region is still not resolved next year, Formula 1 will be a very secondary subject. That will mean the situation is extremely serious.”
A statement that highlights the caution with which F1 approaches this matter.
The goal of 24 Grands Prix remains unchanged
Despite these uncertainties, Domenicali assures that Formula 1 does not give up its ambition to organize a full calendar.
Whatever solution is chosen, the championship still aims for 24 Grands Prix in 2027.
“I can assure you that we have several scenarios ready to be applied in order to maintain our goal of 24 Grands Prix.”
F1 therefore hopes to be able to start the season in Bahrain as planned. But at the same time, it is already preparing several backup solutions to preserve the entirety of its calendar if the situation in the Middle East does not improve by the end of the year.