Faced with ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Formula 1 is preparing several scenarios to preserve the end of its 2026 calendar, with Portimão and Baku among the options considered.
Formula 1 still has to deal with significant uncertainty regarding the end of the 2026 F1 season. While the championship hoped to be able to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix, initially postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East, the current situation is pushing the leaders to reconsider their plans.
The ongoing tensions in the region are forcing FOM (Formula One Management) to consider several alternatives in order to maintain an F1 calendar close to the initial goal (24 events). Among the options studied are notably a return to the Portimão circuit in Portugal, but also the possibility of organizing a second race in Baku.
Present at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, Stefano Domenicali acknowledged that the decision was becoming urgent, even if the priority remains to preserve the safety of all people involved in the championship.
Domenicali wants to wait until the last moment before deciding
The CEO of Formula 1 does not hide the complexity of the situation. Despite his usual optimism, he admits that the coming days will be decisive.
“Being optimistic by nature, I would say the situation is interesting, but objectively, it is complex” Domenicali said to Sky Italia.
The official goal remains to keep the planned calendar while finding a solution to replace the canceled event.
“Our goal is to confirm the calendar we have and also to try to make up for a race we missed during the most difficult months of the conflict in the Middle East.”
However, the head of F1 reminds that safety will remain the determining factor before any decision.
“We will wait until the last moment, but when we make a decision, we will do so knowing the risks. The safety of the people who work in our system and those who come to the Grand Prix remains the priority.”
Portimão and Baku among the solutions considered
According to several reports from Spa, discussions are currently underway between FOM and the different teams to evaluate possible scenarios.
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Viaplay commentator Nelson Valkenburg explained that several meetings were planned during the Belgian weekend.
“There are many discussions ongoing. On Saturday, a meeting between the teams and FOM is scheduled to talk about this situation.”
Formula 1 was reportedly close to confirming a new date for the Bahrain Grand Prix before the geopolitical situation deteriorated again.
“This possibility now seems lost. They are also concerned about Qatar and Abu Dhabi” Valkenburg explained.
F1 aims for 21 or 22 races in 2026
In the event that Bahrain cannot be added to the calendar, Portimão appears as a serious option. The Portuguese circuit, which hosted three Grands Prix between 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, could make a return.
Another possibility would be to organize two consecutive races in Baku, even if this solution would remain exceptional.
“There are also other possibilities, such as organizing two back-to-back races in Baku, because FOM wants to reach 21 or 22 races” Valkenburg specified.
The issue also goes beyond the sporting aspect. Formula 1 wants to meet the expectations of broadcasters and some commercial partners, while postponing the final decision regarding the end of the season as much as possible.
“They will delay the end of the year as much as possible in the hope of being able to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi.”
The final decision should therefore come in the coming weeks, as F1 tries to preserve a complete 2026 calendar despite an always unstable international context.
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