Formula 1 may cancel Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix
Formula 1 could cancel three further races during the 2026 season, including the Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The sport’s organisers are bracing for prolonged disruption following the recent axing of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events.
Those two April fixtures were removed from the calendar after careful evaluation of the ongoing regional conflict.
Azerbaijan fixture under scrutiny
Attention has now shifted to the street circuit in Baku, which is currently scheduled for September.
While the city has not been directly impacted by drone strikes, its shared border with Iran has raised significant security concerns.
Journalist Julianne Cerasoli noted the geographical proximity is the primary factor complicating preparations for the event.
The main thing that’s shaking things up for the Azerbaijan GP, which is in September, is that Azerbaijan borders Iran.
Two-week intervals on either side of the Baku race provide logistical flexibility, but staff safety remains the ultimate priority.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi races in jeopardy
Decision-makers are adopting a more measured approach regarding the season-closing events in Lusail and Yas Marina.
Because these rounds take place later in the year, motorsport executives believe time is on their side before making a final call.
However, an overarching strategy to abandon all Middle Eastern stops entirely remains a distinct possibility if the crisis escalates.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised that the governing body will not compromise on welfare.
The FIA will always place the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.
Echoes of the 2020 campaign
If all five regional races are officially abandoned, the 2026 calendar would shrink to just 17 rounds.
Such a reduction would make it the shortest championship since the heavily disrupted 2020 pandemic season.
Formula 2, Formula 3, and the all-female F1 Academy series will also skip their corresponding support slots in the affected nations.
