Adelaide ‘proposed’ as possible replacement if Qatar or Abu Dhabi F1 races are cancelled

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Formula 1 bosses are making contingency plans in case the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at the end of the year have to be cancelled. Adelaide is one of the circuits that have been mentioned.

There will be no F1 race this month after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were called off due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Adelaide offered to step in at short notice, according to South Australia state Premier Peter Malinauskas, but clearly, this was not seen as logistically viable or sufficiently profitable.

Has F1 missed an opportunity to return to Adelaide for the first time since 1995?

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Adelaide eyeing F1 after MotoGP deal – but there’s a problem

According to Autosport Web, Stefano Domenicali and Formula One Management are wary that teams’ equipment could become ‘stranded’ in the Middle East if they ship it to the region before the conflict is resolved.

This, in addition to the obvious safety concerns, is why they’re making a backup plan for the end of the year. F1 can absorb the loss of two races, but losing four would cost them £121m even before any penalties from broadcasters.

Domenicali wants to make a call ‘months’ in advance so potential replacement venues have time to upgrade their facilities and carry out a full ticket sale.

• READ MORE: F1 ‘source’ offers update on Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs ahead of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancellation

Another race in Melbourne in November or early December would have been an option, but Albert Park is undergoing renovations at that time. Adelaide has been ‘proposed’ once again, but the idea has not gained ‘much support’ among decision-makers.

The Adelaide Street Circuit hosted the Australian GP from 1985 to 1995. Significantly, they will welcome MotoGP in 2027, albeit on a modified layout.

Could the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix be rescheduled?

F1’s statement last month said that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia wouldn’t be held ‘in April’, rather than explicitly cancelling them. Jeddah circuit bosses are pushing for a late-season slot, similar to the one they occupied for their inaugural race in 2021.

MotoGP was due to race in Qatar in April but decided to move the race to early November in the hope that it will be safe.

• READ MORE: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix could be the next F1 race under threat after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The ‘most realistic options’, however, are Turkey and Malaysia. Istanbul Park could be back on the F1 calendar in 2027, but it could make an early comeback if it can set up temporary hospitality facilities.

F1 visited Turkey in 2020 and 2021 when the season had to be shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic. One concern is that the colder temperatures towards the end of the year may dissuade potential ticket-buyers.

Sepang, which hosts MotoGP in late October, would be an ‘ideal’ option if the local government is willing to invest.