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The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix could go ahead in 2026, with Formula 1 exploring the possibility of moving the race to October.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which were set to be held in April, were cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
If the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are cancelled, which circuits should F1 go to instead?
Alternatives were considered by F1, including several European tracks such as Imola and Paul Ricard. However, no deal was reached, and the races were not replaced, leaving a five-week gap between Japan and the next race in Miami.
Questions have been raised about whether the two Grand Prix will be rescheduled. F1’s statement about the cancellation said that the events would not go ahead in April, leaving it open to being moved to another date.
F1 could host Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in October
Whether the race will go ahead is unknown at this point, as the Middle East conflict remains unresolved. Further cancellations are possible in 2026, with the Azerbaijan GP being under threat.
There are also doubts around the Qatar and Abu Dhabi GP, but it is hoped that those events, and the races at Sakhir and Jeddah, could still go ahead.
Which circuit would you like to see F1 add to the calendar?
A report from The Telegraph notes that ‘a number of sources within the sport’ say that F1 could put the Bahrain or Saudi Arabia race back on the calendar in 2026.
If a ‘ceasefire is ‘agreed by the summer’, the report states that the race could be held in October. There is a two-week gap between Singapore (11 October) and Austin (25 October) which it could slot into.
READ MORE: When is the next F1 race? Miami Grand Prix schedule after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancellations
F1 are considering a quadruple header to end 2026 season
Whether the races in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia will be rescheduled depends on the Middle East conflict coming to a standstill. F1 are considering multiple scenarios to get the races going in 2026.
It has even been suggested that F1 could have a quadruple header to end the season. Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are set to close out the 2026 season in a triple header, but it could be extended.
If the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP cannot go ahead, the 2026 calendar is likely to stay at 22 races. Other alternatives were considered, but nothing came to fruition.
Imola did not contact F1 over replacing the two races. The Emilia-Romagna GP dropped off the calendar at the end of the 2025 season.
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