Formula E Confident Jeddah Will Host Gen4 Opener Despite Middle East Conflict
Formula E maintains confidence in Jeddah opener
Formula E expects the 2026-27 season to begin at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 18 December, despite the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. The event is scheduled to mark the opening round of the championshipâs Gen4 era, but the wider disruption has already affected supply chains, oil prices and international travel across motorsport.
The series completed its 2025-26 campaign without major disruption, with its Saudi Arabian round taking place safely in mid-February before the conflict began. However, uncertainty remains around the new season, particularly after Formula 1 cancelled its April event at the same circuit and the World Endurance Championship replaced its planned Qatar and Bahrain races.
Formula E chief championship officer Alberto Longo said the championship is receiving regular updates from local authorities and international organisations monitoring the situation.
âWe have full understanding that the race in Jeddah can happen and is going to happen,â Longo told Motorsport.com. He added that the championship meets regularly with authorities in Jeddah and that the local organisations remain committed to hosting the event.
According to Longo, three international organisationsâone in the US, one in the UK and one in Europeâprovide weekly assessments of travel risks. Their current classification is low to moderate, while local and municipal authorities have also indicated that the race can proceed safely.
Contingency plan remains ready
Formula E has prepared a Plan B because conditions in the region remain fluid. Longo stressed that the championship cannot predict what the situation will look like in December, but said teams, manufacturers and team principals all understand the contingency strategy.
âToday, we don't feel like we're going to need to postpone the race or to do anything,â he said. âWe will just respect the 18th of December as the launch of the Gen 4.â
The Jeddah race carries particular significance because it is due to introduce the Gen4 car, which Formula E says can produce 800bhp and outperform a Formula 2 machine around a typical circuit. Saudi Arabia is also an important market for the championship, with the Public Investment Fund holding a minority stake in Formula E Holdings Ltd, while PIF, SABIC and Saudia are series sponsors.
The championshipâs move into a new era comes as interest in its electric machinery continues, including through projects such as the Porsche GEN3 99X Electricâs debut in Need for Speed Mobile.
Should Jeddah become unsafe, the Mexico event on 16 January would become the season opener. Longo said Formula E would postpone the Saudi Arabian race rather than add another December event or rearrange the calendar.
Simone Scanu
Heâs 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.