After F1 cancelled the Pirelli wet tyre test in Bahrain following regional strikes, there are concerns about the potential of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs being cancelled
Should the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix be axed due to the ongoing conflict involving the USA, Israel and Iran, F1 chiefs could look to Portugal, Italy and France as replacement venues. The Pirelli wet tyre test in Bahrain was recently scrapped after Iranian retaliatory strikes hit the Bahraini capital Manama.
With strikes also reported in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, there is growing uncertainty surrounding the Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix, scheduled for April. For now, F1 bosses are adopting a wait-and-see approach to establish whether the regional conflict settles in time for the races.
Nevertheless, it is understood contingency plans are being drawn up should the Middle Eastern events fail to go ahead. F1 are reportedly “monitoring” the situation closely and are prepared to liaise with the governments of the affected countries.
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According to F1 Insider, Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Le Castellet in France have been identified as potential replacement venues, should the Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix be called off. In June 2027, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali described Imola as the “first reserve” track should any event be cancelled.
He told the Bologna newspaper Il Resto del Carlino: “If for any reason a venue were to fall through, we will return to Imola with our cars and our drivers.”
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The Italian circuit was removed from the 2026 schedule with Madrid set to take its place. At the time the decision was announced, Domenicali hinted it could return as soon as 2027.
Should the conflict in the Middle East continue, the prospect of the track making a comeback a year ahead of schedule appears increasingly plausible.
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Additionally, Portimao was last featured on an F1 calendar in 2021, with the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal hosting races during the Coronavirus-disrupted seasons of 2020 and 2021.
F1 had been anticipated to return to the Algarve for the 2027 and 2028 seasons but, much like Italy, could be reinstated should the Middle Eastern events fail to go ahead.
Meanwhile, Le Castellet has not staged an F1 race since 2022, when Max Verstappen stormed to victory. The circuit had been welcomed back into the F1 fold in 2018, but after failing to agree a new deal, it was dropped from the calendar from 2023 onwards.
This list of circuits is by no means exhaustive, with numerous other venues also likely to be considered. No firm decision has yet been reached regarding those events.
In response to the uncertainty, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.
“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the World Endurance Championship and the Formula One World Championship. Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever.”
