Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of Formula 1, has reassured teams, fans and partners that the organisation has already drawn up a series of fallback arrangements for the 2027 season should the hostilities in the Middle East persist into next year. While the sport traditionally unveils the next year’s calendar well in advance, the 2027 schedule will not be made public until the autumn, giving the governing body ample time to adapt to any geopolitical developments. Domenicali explained that a "standard" calendar will be presented as usual, but the current war involving the United States, Israel and Iran – which forced the cancellation of this year’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix – remains a key variable.
If the situation does not improve, the final two events of the 2026 championship, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races, could also be called off, meaning the season would conclude on European soil. "Should the Middle‑East conflict remain unresolved, we have a suite of alternative scenarios for 2027 ready to be activated," Domenicali said.
"The trigger for any change will come at the end of the calendar year, so we still have several months to make the necessary adjustments." He added that the potential disruption to the Middle‑East venues is a "marginal" concern for the sport overall, but acknowledged that the broader security environment could become "very bad" if the war drags on. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the contingency plans are designed to preserve the target of a 24‑race season for 2027, regardless of which circuits ultimately host the events.
In parallel with these contingency discussions, Formula 1 has confirmed the return of two classic venues to the 2027 roster. The Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park and the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve circuit will replace the Dutch round at Zandvoort, which will host its final Grand Prix on the weekend of 21‑23 August after the summer hiatus. The Barcelona circuit will also remain on the schedule.
Looking beyond 2027, the sport’s expansion agenda continues. While any new races are unlikely to appear before the 2028 calendar, negotiations are already under way with several prospective hosts.
In Africa, talks with Rwanda and South Africa are progressing, while in South America, Argentina is being courted, a move spurred by the surge in popularity following the arrival of Argentine driver Franco Colapinto on the grid. Domenicali noted, "Negotiations are progressing very well in Africa.
We are having other discussions in South America. We have discussions in the Far East." Asia remains a focal point, with interest from both China and Japan.
However, the F1 leadership is cautious about over‑extending in China, preferring to consolidate the existing Grand Prix before considering additional events. "We have more requests in China and Japan, but for the moment we want to stay with one race in China because we need to consolidate the market before thinking about having other options there," Domenicali explained.
Europe could also see a resurgence of historic venues. Germany, in particular, has emerged as a surprising candidate, with the Hockenheimring potentially returning after a nine‑year absence.
The circuit fell off the calendar in 2019 due to insufficient government funding, but a new ownership structure and investment model have revived interest. "It was Hockenheim that connected with us, and they had the first discussion," Domenicali said. "They are developing the motorsport park there with a different objective.
If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, of course the investment needs to be different – because our platform needs to have a different kind of investment. But we have discussed that." He also highlighted the broader European market, noting that rising viewership and fan engagement are making the continent an increasingly important arena for Formula 1. "We are watching the growth in Europe because it's becoming an important market again because the numbers are there," he added. The 2026 season will resume after the summer break with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for 21‑23 August.
All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. The sport continues to offer multiple ways to stay connected, including podcasts such as The F1 Show and updates through Sky Sports on WhatsApp. In summary, while the Middle‑East conflict poses a genuine risk to the 2027 calendar, Formula 1 has proactively prepared a range of alternative plans to safeguard a full season of 24 races.
At the same time, the championship is actively exploring new venues across Africa, South America and Asia, while also nurturing the potential return of historic European circuits like Hockenheim. These efforts reflect the sport’s commitment to both stability and growth, ensuring that fans worldwide will continue to enjoy a diverse and exciting schedule, regardless of external challenges.