The 2026 Formula 1 calendar is facing a genuine logistical question: can the championship safely race in Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi as planned?

All 3 events remain on the schedule at this stage, and they are important races. But the regional security situation has become unpredictable enough that Formula 1 is actively considering alternatives should any Middle East round need to be postponed or cancelled. The main issue is not enthusiasm from promoters or from F1. There is plenty of that. It is whether the race can be staged safely, with insurance in place for teams, personnel, media and the event itself.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi Could Need Replacements

Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently scheduled to close out the season, but contingency plans are being discussed around the Spa paddock. If either event cannot proceed, Portugal’s Portimão circuit appears to be the leading candidate to step in. It could potentially host 1 race, or even 2.

Imola is understood to be the next most likely alternative. Both circuits are established Formula 1 venues with the infrastructure, personnel and racing pedigree to make a late addition possible.

A few other ideas have been doing the rounds, but they do not seem realistic:

• Istanbul is not thought to be a viable option.
• A second Las Vegas race is also unlikely, despite Formula 1 and the Las Vegas event having the same ownership through Liberty Media.
• Las Vegas is not keen on a second event because of the enormous disruption the existing race causes businesses and the city itself.

Portimão makes sense as a standby. It is a proper permanent circuit, has hosted F1 recently, and the infrastructure is there. There has also been strong paddock chatter that the circuit has kept the original Qatar and Abu Dhabi weekends available just in case Formula 1 needs it.

Bahrain Was Close to Returning

Bahrain is very keen to have its race reinstated in the second half of the 2026 season. The intended slot was reportedly the weekend between Baku and Singapore, and there had been an expectation that the announcement would follow the British Grand Prix.

That announcement was held back as the regional situation escalated again. The desire is clearly there from Formula 1, Bahrain and the other affected promoters, but all parties need confidence that it can be done safely.

Insurance is one of the biggest practical obstacles. A Grand Prix is not simply a few cars and drivers arriving at a track. It is thousands of people, massive quantities of equipment, freight, hospitality, broadcast operations and commercial commitments. If insurance is unavailable or prohibitively difficult to arrange, the race becomes very hard to operate.

That applies to teams and Formula 1, but also to photographers, freelancers, suppliers and everyone else required to make a race weekend work. Safety must come first, and that is the correct approach.

When Will Formula 1 Make a Decision?

The decision belongs to Formula 1, not the FIA, although the FIA would almost certainly be consulted. The expectation is that an announcement could come during the summer break, when F1 has a chance to assess the situation carefully and make a call on the latter part of the calendar.

It is worth separating the facts from the rumours. At this point, the affected races have not been definitively cancelled. They remain scheduled. But contingency planning is clearly underway, which is sensible given the uncertainty.

The same question carries into 2027. Bahrain is expected to open next year’s championship, but that could become difficult if regional instability continues. Australia cannot simply move forward by a month to cover the opening round. A new pit building is under construction at Albert Park, and it would not be ready for an earlier race.

That leaves a fascinating possibility. If Bahrain and another Middle East race were unavailable at the start of next season, Portimão could become a contender to host the opening round of the Formula 1 World Championship. That would be something quite new.

Spa Remains the Grandest Circuit on the Calendar

While attention has been fixed on the calendar, the Belgian Grand Prix provided a timely reminder of why Spa-Francorchamps is so special. This is not a city circuit with buildings, fences and hospitality suites closing in from every direction. Spa is vast, natural and properly dramatic.

Standing at the bottom of Eau Rouge beside the wall as the cars scream past is one of those moments that stays with you. Then you look uphill through Raidillon and understand why drivers adore the place. The scale is extraordinary.

For sheer grandeur, Spa is right at the top of the list. Suzuka would be very close behind it. They are circuits that ask real questions of drivers and cars, and they have a feeling that modern temporary venues simply cannot replicate.

Antonelli Extends His Championship Lead

Kimi Antonelli came away from Spa with the win and extended his championship advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell. Antonelli was his usual relaxed, engaging self in the celebrations. Normally he makes a quick escape once the champagne starts flying, but this time he accepted the inevitable soaking with a smile.

Russell, meanwhile, had a rough afternoon. An opening-lap incident at Les Combes put him on the back foot, while Lewis Hamilton received a 5-second penalty that had to be served in the pit lane. Russell later referred to a battery issue, and it was obvious he was bitterly disappointed.

That is championship racing. A driver can arrive at a circuit with a legitimate chance of a major result and leave having lost ground through a mixture of incident, machinery and bad luck.

Antonelli, at only 19, is handling the pressure remarkably well. He remains approachable and enthusiastic, whether he is celebrating a win, greeting fans at Liège Airport or taking time for the people around him. Leading a championship at that age is plenty to deal with, but it has not changed his manner.

Small Spa Moments That Told Their Own Story

A Belgian Grand Prix weekend always produces odd little details away from the headline result. Gabriel Bortoleto took his second consecutive P8 and was understandably delighted. He shared a lovely embrace with his manager after leaving the media pen, and “amazing” was the word he used to describe the result.

The Turn 1 start at Spa is a hairy place to photograph. Cars are extremely close as they funnel around the hairpin, and the physical heat from them is striking when they pass at speed. Fortunately, there was no major incident there.

There was drama later on the Kemmel Straight, however, where Leclerc and Oscar Piastri came together and bodywork went flying. Hamilton and Russell also came together, causing George to retire in the first lap. After the race, Hamilton was seen carrying a piece of debris and handing it to his crew in parc fermé. It appeared to be a part from a car, which raised an interesting question about what is and is not permitted once parc fermé conditions apply.

Another curious moment involved a computer being connected to a car while it was being wheeled away from parc fermé. It looked like information was being extracted rather than fed into the car, presumably because whatever data was needed had to be gathered quickly.

A Restaurant on Wheels at Spa

One of the more unusual sights around the circuit was a fully operational kitchen built into a large vehicle. It can be booked for a dining tour of the circuit, stopping at different points around Spa for drinks and courses.

Imagine pre-dinner drinks at Eau Rouge, followed by another course at the end of the Kemmel Straight. It certainly would not be a cheap outing, but as a memorable Grand Prix experience, it is right out there.

Quick Departures From Liège Airport

Once the podium finished, the paddock emptied quickly. Sergio Perez was the first driver to leave, departing on his private jet at 5:38 p.m., just 50 minutes after the podium ceremony ended.

Lawrence and Lance Stroll headed out later after using a helicopter to reach Liège Airport, saving the 40-minute drive most of the paddock faced. Pierre Gasly returned to Milan, while various teams and drivers used charter aircraft to reach home or their next destination.

Antonelli also took time to greet people at the airport fence before his flight. That small gesture fits with the impression he gives everywhere around the paddock. He is enjoying the moment, he is doing well, and he is still taking the time to be decent.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus is simple. Formula 1 needs clarity on Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and it needs it soon enough to give teams, circuits, broadcasters and personnel a workable plan.

Portimão is the standout fallback option, with Imola also in the conversation. But until a formal decision is made, all of the scheduled Middle East rounds remain just that: scheduled.

There is plenty to sort out before the season reaches its final phase. In Formula 1, the racing is only one part of the machine. Logistics, safety, insurance and timing can decide just as much as lap time.

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