Which F1 Tracks Could Replace the Middle East Races?

With real doubt surrounding the final 2 Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the paddock is already buzzing with potential replacements. If both races were cancelled, the calendar would fall from 24 to 20 races, and there are some very serious commercial, logistical and sporting reasons why F1 will want to avoid that.

Formula 1 is not going to add a circuit simply because it is popular. Any substitute venue must be ready, safe, financially viable and able to fit into a very tightly packed international calendar. It also has to work for teams, broadcasters, race promoters and the many staff who spend much of the year travelling.

The Big Problem With Losing Qatar and Abu Dhabi

Should Qatar and Abu Dhabi disappear, F1 would be 4 races short of the original 24-race plan. Twenty races is still a substantial season, but every missing event has consequences.

Broadcast partners are usually guaranteed a minimum number of races before refunds may become relevant. There was uncertainty around whether that number is 20 or 22, although one senior television source believed 20 might be enough. Even so, race-specific sponsors are a different matter. If a company has paid to be associated with a Grand Prix that does not happen, there is no event from which to receive value.

Then there is the teams’ money. Team payments are tied to Formula 1’s financial performance. Fewer races means less revenue, and that may reduce the amount distributed across the grid.

So, yes, F1 wants to race. It needs to race. But it cannot simply pull a track out of a hat.

The Best Gap for a Replacement Race

The most logical opening sits between Azerbaijan and Singapore. At present, those are standalone race weekends. Add a third event between them and you create a triple-header, which is demanding but manageable.

Istanbul Park

Istanbul is one of the strongest names being discussed. It is a proper Formula 1 circuit, it is relatively close to Azerbaijan, and the freight movement would be simpler than sending the entire operation across the world.

The concern is whether the venue would be ready to meet modern F1 standards at short notice. There may be work required around the circuit, and organisers would need to make the commercial numbers stack up without the usual long lead time to sell corporate hospitality and tickets.

Malaysia and Sepang

Malaysia is another very credible option. Formula 1 last raced at Sepang in 2017, and the circuit is conveniently close to Singapore. That makes logistics much easier than many alternatives.

It would be hot, likely hotter than Singapore because the race would be held during the day, but the bigger question is circuit readiness and commercial commitment. Sepang may have enough time to prepare if upgrades are needed, but it is difficult to imagine it paying anything close to the fee generated by a Middle Eastern race.

Still, of all the possibilities, Malaysia and Istanbul make the most sense for that Azerbaijan to Singapore slot. If I were having a bet, I would put a dollar each way on those 2.

Could Europe Add Another Race?

One proposal was to place a race between the Netherlands and Monza, perhaps at Imola. The trouble is that it would create a quadruple-header. Four races in 4 consecutive weekends is a brutal stretch for everyone involved, especially with only a short timeframe to organise another Grand Prix.

Imola remains an outside chance. Stefano Domenicali has a strong connection to the region and was instrumental in bringing the circuit back during 2020 and 2021. It is a circuit with history, character and huge passion, but sentiment will not overcome the practicalities of a crowded schedule.

There is also a gap between Singapore and the United States, but a race there would again create a quadruple-header. That is why it seems unlikely.

Portimão Looks Strong for the Finale

If Abu Dhabi’s early December weekend needs replacing, Portimão is a very strong contender. Most of Europe is too cold at that time of year, while the Algarve remains one of the more realistic options.

Portimão has hosted F1 before and offers a challenging modern layout with elevation changes and a proper flowing rhythm. The circuit could require some work, but it is one of the few European venues that feels plausible at that point of the year.

The key question is whether F1 would be happy to make Portimão the season finale. It would certainly be different, and it could be a cracking place to settle a championship.

What About a Las Vegas Doubleheader?

Las Vegas is the wildcard. Liberty Media owns the event, so a second weekend there might appear straightforward from an ownership perspective. It would also avoid needing a completely new promoter to build an event from scratch.

But Las Vegas is not a normal Grand Prix. Closing roads and disrupting a major city is a huge undertaking. Whether the city would want another weekend of that disruption is another matter entirely.

For that reason, a Vegas doubleheader is possible, but it does not feel like the obvious answer.

The Constraint Few People Talk About: Schengen Days

There is another major consideration when adding European races: Schengen travel limits. Many F1 staff, including British personnel, can spend only 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

Adding 2 European races may sound easy on paper, but it can push some travelling team members, media and contractors over their permitted limit. It is not a minor administrative issue. It can determine who can attend an event at all.

This is why every calendar alteration is more complicated than simply finding an available circuit. The freight needs moving, staff need to be accommodated, visas and travel rules must work, safety standards need approval, and promoters need to pay for the privilege.

My Most Likely Replacement Scenario

Nothing was settled, and even people within the teams appeared frustrated by the lack of clarity. F1 was understandably reluctant to make a call too early because circumstances could change quickly.

The most realistic list of potential replacement venues included:

• Portimão for the Abu Dhabi weekend
• Istanbul between Azerbaijan and Singapore
• Malaysia between Azerbaijan and Singapore
• Imola as an outside European possibility
• Las Vegas for a possible second event

My own leaning would be Portimão for the final weekend, then Istanbul or Malaysia for the open slot in the autumn. Both are logical enough to work, but neither would be effortless.

Media Day in Budapest: Rain, Drivers and a Proper F1 Buzz

Beyond the calendar talk, Media Day at the Hungarian Grand Prix began with rain, cold conditions and plenty of umbrellas. Fred Vasseur took cover under Joe Lloyd’s umbrella, and, as usual, he handled it with a bit of fun. He remains one of the more colourful personalities at the top of motorsport.

There were also some entertaining little paddock moments. Alex Albon was heading to Johannesburg after the race for a sponsor commitment, but only for 6 hours. That is a serious hit-and-run trip.

Ollie Bearman had been handed a tape measure challenge, attempting to identify where his race number, 87, landed in centimetres. He got remarkably close.

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad also arrived together in a Ford after flying economy from the airport. It is not what most people expect from modern racing drivers, particularly around a Grand Prix weekend, but there they were.

Budapest Shows Why Formula 1 Keeps Growing

Budapest was absolutely alive with Formula 1 energy. Long lines formed outside hotels late into the evening for Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. Antonelli took the time to work his way along a very long line of supporters, while Norris received a rather loud welcome outside the Aria Hotel.

In the heart of the city, the enthusiasm covered every generation and every allegiance. There were supporters of Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Some had grown up with James Hunt or Michael Schumacher, while others were attending their first live Grand Prix.

That is the beauty of Formula 1. There is room for the engineering, the speed, the strategy, the personalities, the rivalries and the family connection. Even in a season full of uncertainty, the passion around the sport remains enormous.

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