F1 teams push back against gruelling 2026 quadruple-header proposal

Formula 1 teams are reportedly pushing back against the prospect of a grueling season-ending quadruple-header to accommodate the postponed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the 2026 calendar.

More drastically, rumors have circulated regarding a potential quadruple-header to close out the year. This unprecedented logistical challenge would see the paddock tackle races in Las Vegas, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi over four consecutive weeks.

The breaking point for F1 personnel

Speaking on the Nailing The Apex podcast, Viaplay commentator Nelson Valkenburg revealed that teams are strongly resisting the idea of slotting Jeddah into such a punishing sequence.

According to Valkenburg, the likelihood of replacing the lost rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remains slim. "Incidentally, right now, it doesn’t look like Bahrain and Jeddah are going to be replaced," he explained. "Up until yesterday, I really thought we might be heading into a quadruple, but I had some sources telling me that it’s not an easy done deal to slot Jeddah in at the end of the year."

The physical and logistical toll of a four-week stretch across multiple time zones and climates is a major sticking point for the teams. "I would imagine the Saudis really want it, but yeah, let’s wait and see," Valkenburg added. "But, the teams are probably resisting doing four in a row if those four are Las Vegas, Qatar, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi in a row."

He emphasized the severe strain this would place on team personnel: "That turnover is just brutal, Las Vegas to Qatar, time-wise, flight-wise, weather-wise, everything, at the point of the season that everybody is at their breaking point, all those mechanics. That would be the one that I would change if I could make a calendar because it just doesn’t make sense."

Istanbul Park returns in 2027

While the final shape of the 2026 calendar remains uncertain, Formula 1 has already secured a major addition for the following year. It was confirmed last week that the Turkish Grand Prix will return to the F1 calendar from 2027, signing a five-year deal to race at the beloved Istanbul Park circuit for the first time since 2021.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his enthusiasm for the venue's revival: "We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Turkiye and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1."

"Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at Istanbul Park, and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership, giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location," Domenicali concluded.