F1 monitoring Iran conflict as Middle East calendar remains uncertain
F1’s postponed races remain under review
Formula 1 is continuing to assess the impact of the conflict involving Iran on its 2026 calendar, with the championship’s postponed Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix still central to the uncertainty.
Both races were postponed in April. RACER understands that plans were subsequently developed to reinstate one of them later in the season, with the first weekend of October identified as the most viable option without moving other events. That would create a demanding triple-header beginning in Azerbaijan and concluding in Singapore.
A decision on that potential return would be required before F1’s August shutdown. However, an initial ceasefire was followed by further strikes involving the United States and Iran in recent weeks. Iran also targeted military facilities in Bahrain, adding to the doubts over whether a race in the region can realistically be staged in less than three months.
An F1 spokesperson said the championship is continuing to “monitor and assess the situation”.
Middle East schedule faces wider scrutiny
The issue extends beyond the postponed spring events. F1 is already scheduled to finish the season in the Middle East, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi forming a late-season triple-header alongside Las Vegas. The Qatar race is set for November 29, followed by Abu Dhabi on December 6.
The prospect of returning to the region is now being considered against a rapidly changing security picture, while the compressed structure of the remaining calendar leaves little room for uncomplicated rearrangement.
WEC contingency plan adds pressure
Attention on F1’s planning has intensified after the World Endurance Championship established a contingency proposal for its own affected events. The plan could see the rescheduled WEC races in Qatar on October 25 and Bahrain on November 7 replaced by European rounds in Barcelona and Monza.
As reported by RACER on Monday, the proposal was presented to teams during the 6 Hours of São Paulo weekend. It is not yet final, however, and would require ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
The WEC situation underlines the broader challenge facing championships with Middle Eastern events on their schedules. Its 2026 6 Hours of São Paulo preview provides the immediate sporting context for the meeting at which the contingency plan was presented, but the decisive factor for both series remains whether conditions allow racing to return safely.
For F1, the October option remains only a plan under review. Until the situation becomes clearer, the championship’s Middle East schedule cannot be treated as settled.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.