Saudi GP could return
Organizers and F1 stakeholders are discussing rescheduling the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix later in 2026—reports mention Jeddah as a possible December slot between the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races. The conversations are tied to Aramco’s influence and a broader reassessment of F1’s reliance on Saudi dates amid the current regional tensions (cityam.com) (grandprix247.com).
Formula 1 is discussing a late-2026 return for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after canceling Jeddah’s April race last month. (cityam.com) The official 2026 calendar published by Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile had Saudi Arabia scheduled for April and the season ending in Abu Dhabi on December 4-6. Qatar is set for November 27-29, leaving a possible gap between the two Gulf races if the calendar is revised. (formula1.com) (fia.com) City A.M. reported that F1 stakeholders are considering a December slot in Jeddah, while GrandPrix247 said the talks reflect concern inside the sport about how exposed the championship has become to Saudi-linked dates and money. Both reports tie the discussions to Aramco’s leverage across the series. (cityam.com) (grandprix247.com) The immediate trigger was the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix on March 14 after the regional conflict made April races untenable. Reuters, carried by The Straits Times, reported at the time that F1, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and local promoters said those races would not take place in April. (straitstimes.com) (forbes.com) Saudi Arabia is not just a host venue for Formula 1. Aramco has been one of the series’ global partners since 2020, and Formula 1’s partners page still lists Aramco among its top commercial backers. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Aramco’s footprint also runs through the paddock. The company extended its Aston Martin deal in December 2023, making the team Aston Martin Aramco under a five-year agreement running through 2028. (aramco.com) The Saudi race has been part of the championship since 2021, and Jeddah has become one of the sport’s regular Gulf stops alongside Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The 2026 calendar originally kept Saudi Arabia in its usual spring window because Ramadan falls across February and March next year. (formula1.com) (fia.com) Neither Formula 1 nor the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has announced a revised 2026 calendar yet, and the official schedule still shows a 22-race season ending in Abu Dhabi. Until that changes, Jeddah’s return remains a live option rather than a confirmed race. (formula1.com) (fia.com)
