Suzuka could now host a double-header if F1 must replace Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races

Follow us on Google Discover

Suzuka has now emerged as a possible host for an additional race, if F1 has to replace the Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia owing to the situation in the Middle East.

The 2026 F1 regulations era officially starts with a double-header with the Australian Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix, followed by a visit to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix. But the situation in the Middle East has now raised question marks about the subsequent races.

F1 is scheduled to return to Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 10-12, and then travel to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the following weekend. But those races now face uncertainty, and the FIA just postponed the WEC’s season-opener in Qatar on March 26-28.

The situation in the Middle East has already caused some disruption for the F1 paddock as it headed to Melbourne. Ferrari and Racing Bulls were the most affected teams, having had to divert their entire travel plans from their factories in Italy to get a charter flight from the UK.

If the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are cancelled, which circuits should F1 go to instead?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

F1 could replace the Bahrain GP with a second race in Japan due to logistical issues with a European event

F1 bosses are keeping close tabs on the situation in the Middle East. But logical concerns for possible replacement races for the Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian GP make securing a venue a challenge, despite the reports that Portimao, Imola and Paul Ricard could stage an F1 race.

READ MORE: All you need to know about the 2026 F1 season, from the calendar to drivers

That is according to Blick, which reports that while F1 has ‘approached’ Portimao and Imola to discuss their readiness to stage a race if needed, Suzuka has also emerged as a potential venue. It is considered ‘possible’ that F1 could stage two Grands Prix in Japan back-to-back.

Holding two races in Japan could prove easier for F1 to arrange than replacing the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs with events in Europe, as the European leg of the 2026 F1 season is not due to start until June. Staging another race in Europe before June is ‘hardly an option’.

F1 teams have also already started to ship or arrange other travel plans for their race cargo, and each team also requires at least four to five different shipments to transport all of their equipment. So, the possibility of two races at Suzuka is emerging as a potential alternative.

F1 may have to hold a double-header at Suzuka if it wants to stage a second Japanese Grand Prix

Formula 1 is currently due to visit Suzuka for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix as a standalone race on March 27-29, followed by a one-week break before the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 10-12. F1 could place a second race at Suzuka into the gap if the Bahrain race is postponed.

Suzuka is not currently due to stage a race championship on the weekend after F1’s planned visit to Japan. But the Super Taikyu series is scheduled to visit Suzuka on April 18-19, which could mean F1 could have to stage a back-to-back if it elects to arrange two races in Japan.

The Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix are then the only rounds due to take place in April this year, with F1 then travelling to America for the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3. The break in the schedule could allow F1 to replace the Saudi Arabian GP with a European race.