Saudi GP fallout

Formula 1 has canceled the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah and organisers are reportedly exploring a possible reschedule for December 2026. (factmagazines.com) (gulfnews.com) The Jeddah race was due to run from 17–19 April 2026 and was removed from the calendar after Formula 1 and the FIA announced cancellations on 14–15 March. (motorsport.com) The Gulf cancellations come alongside the Bahrain Grand Prix being dropped, and estimates of the financial hit vary — some reports suggest roughly €100 million lost to F1’s revenue pool this year. (grandprix.com) (f1-fansite.com) Analyst notes from Guggenheim and others put a larger figure on the table — roughly $190–$200 million in revenue lost and about $80 million of EBITDA at risk if promoter fees and sponsorship shortfalls are included. (forbes.com) Teams and suppliers have already felt practical effects: Pirelli moved a tyre test originally due in Jeddah to Germany’s Nürburgring, where Mercedes and McLaren ran dry‑compound development work on 14–15 April. (mclaren.com) (planetf1.com) McLaren confirmed Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the two‑day Pirelli programme in the MCL40 at the Nürburgring, a stop that replaced lost data the teams expected to gather in the Gulf. (mclaren.com) Organisers in Saudi Arabia and some team figures have pushed for a later slot: pundit Robert Doornbos and Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane have publicly floated the idea of re‑adding Jeddah in December if the calendar allows. (grandprix.com) (gulfnews.com) Formula 1’s calendar currently sits reduced to 22 races for 2026 pending any official rescheduling, and organisers say any change will require agreement from the FIA, teams and existing promoters before a new date is confirmed. (motorsport.com