Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reveals that the premier class has a ‘plan of action’ ready for any further cancellations of races in the Middle East. Last April, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled following the outbreak of the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States. At the end of the season, there are again Grands Prix scheduled in the region, but F1 has already prepared contingency plans should the situation remain unchanged: ‘Hopefully, we won’t have to implement them,’ said Domenicali.
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Formula 1 started the 2026 season with 24 races on the calendar this year. Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the premier class had to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix in April. Although there is still talk within Formula 1 about possibly making up one of the two races later this season – ‘That might still be possible,’ said Liberty Media CEO Derek Change to The Race – F1 has also drawn up a plan of action should even more races be canceled.
The premier class of motorsport is scheduled to return to the Middle East at the end of the season. The Grands Prix of Qatar and Abu Dhabi are planned for November and December. “The only thing I can say is that we have plans, which hopefully won’t have to be executed,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told the media. “Because we really hope that the situation in the world, and not just in racing, returns to normal.”
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‘Avoiding speculation’
Additionally, the Italian top executive confirms that talks are ongoing about making up the previously canceled races. “There is a deadline for what we can ultimately make up from what was not run in April,” he continues. “We are, of course, coordinating this with the teams and the promoters. That is something that causes a big chain reaction. We will keep everyone informed in due course. But I hope you (the media, ed.) understand that if we say something now, it sparks speculation. We want to avoid that. As I said, our first hope is to ensure that we return to where we belong.”
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