Bahrain poised to replace Australia as season opener in 2027

The early shape of the Formula 1 2027 calendar is beginning to emerge, driven by a complex mix of contractual clauses, logistical patterns, and the timing of Ramadan. As a result, the Australian Grand Prix is not expected to serve as Round 1 of the 2027 season, with Bahrain poised to reclaim its traditional spot at the very start of the championship.

Melbourne’s Albert Park has enjoyed the privilege of kicking off the season for the past two years, but the shifting dates of the holy month of Ramadan are set to alter the established cadence of the schedule.

The return of Bahrain as Round 1

With Ramadan slated to conclude on March 7, the door opens for Bahrain to resume its place as the season-opener on March 14. This would mark the first time the Gulf state has hosted the first race of the year since 2024.

Historically, Bahrain has been the logical starting point for the Formula 1 season, seamlessly following pre-season testing in the region. The recent switch to Australia was largely a by-product of Ramadan, forcing the Middle Eastern rounds to be adjusted.

From 1995 until 2019, Melbourne was the undisputed curtain-raiser, hosting Round 1 on all but two occasions. However, since the cancellation of the 2020 event, Albert Park has lost its default position. The past two seasons have been an exception, born out of a combination of contractual obligations and logistical necessity.

When the Australian Grand Prix Corporation agreed to its most recent hosting contract, it secured four opening-round slots. Two of those have already been utilized, leaving two remaining between 2027 and 2035. Under the terms of its current deal, Australia must host one of the first three events of the season. This makes it highly likely that Melbourne will emerge on April 4, serving as the launchpad for a three-race swing through Asia.

Forecasting the 2027 calendar

If Bahrain takes the March 14 slot, the established rhythm of the F1 schedule suggests that Saudi Arabia would follow as Round 2 on March 21, before a weekend off. Australia would then take the April 4 date, followed by China a week later, and Japan on April 25. From there, the paddock would head Stateside for the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.

Attention has increasingly turned to the 2027 calendar following the confirmation that Turkey will rejoin the championship. Last present in 2021, a new five-year deal has been agreed upon, effectively locking down all 24 available slots on the F1 schedule.

With the grid of host nations set, it is possible to forecast the calendar with a degree of accuracy based on recent logistical patterns. Aside from specific event dates, the biggest questions revolve around precisely where Turkey and Portugal will slot in.

The European leg and logistical puzzles

Portugal would fit seamlessly as a direct replacement for the Barcelona Grand Prix, which will be absent next year. In 2021—the last time Portimão was on the calendar—it featured as part of the early European events. A year prior, it was held in October, a later date that significantly increased the chance of variable weather.

During its initial stint on the calendar, Turkey also filled a slot in the mid-season European leg, running from May to August. However, its most recent appearances have seen it placed much later in the year, when conditions are milder but carry a higher risk of rain. Logistically, positioning Turkey later in the year makes sense, as it can serve as a strategic stepping stone out of Europe ahead of the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. Understanding why the Turkish Grand Prix is back on the calendar from 2027 highlights its value in bridging the European and Asian legs of the season.

Officially, the calendar remains a work in progress and is unlikely to be confirmed in the immediate future, especially considering the 2026 schedule was only announced in June.

Potential F1 2027 Calendar

Round	Event	Date
1	Bahrain	March 14
2	Saudi Arabia	March 21
3	Australia	April 4
4	China	April 11
5	Japan	April 25
6	Miami	May 9
7	Canada	May 23
8	Monaco	June 6
9	Portugal	June 13
10	Austria	June 27
11	Great Britain	July 4
12	Belgium	July 18
13	Hungary	July 25
14	Spain	August 29
15	Italy	September 5
16	Turkey	September 19
17	Azerbaijan	September 26
18	Singapore	October 10
19	United States	October 24
20	Mexico City	October 31
21	Sao Paulo	November 7
22	Las Vegas	November 20
23	Qatar	November 28
24	Abu Dhabi	December 5