Five contenders to replace Bahrain and Saudi Arabia if…

Five contenders to replace Bahrain and Saudi Arabia if F1 races are cancelled

Sporting events across the Middle East have been cancelled after Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks on the region - and executives at Formula One could have a big decision to make in the coming weeks.

Tennis tournaments, Asian Champions League matches and cricket tours are some of the events impacted by the chaos across the region, with Bahrain, Qatar and UAE airspace closed for many days.

While F1 has successfully diverted personnel to this weekend’s season-opener in Australia via other routes, a decision looms over races four and five in Bahrain (10-12 April) and Saudi Arabia (17-19 April).

F1 has stated it is “closely monitoring” the situation and, even though there are five weeks until that grand prix in Bahrain, given the forward-planning needed for logistics and freight, a call is set to be made in the next few weeks.

But should one or both of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia be cancelled, which venues could step in at short notice?

Imola, Italy

Dropped from the calendar this year, Imola would be well-placed in terms of facilities and location to step in at the last minute, despite the potential for rainfall.

Imola returned to the schedule after a 14-year absence during the Covid-impacted campaign in 2020, staying until 2025. Prior to that, it hosted the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006 and was most infamously the track where Ayrton Senna lost his life on F1’s darkest weekend in 1994.

Istanbul Park, Turkey

F1 chief Stefano Domenicali hinted in a conference call two weeks ago that Turkey is set to return to the calendar next year, having not hosted a race since 2021.

Istanbul Park is a popular track with drivers and fans alike, hosting nine events since its debut back in 2005. While somewhat precariously situated on the border of Europe and Asia, it would be another safe bet to fill in next month.

F1 could stage a late-notice race in Turkey (Getty Images)

Portimao, Portugal

The Algarve International Circuit stepped in during the Covid seasons of 2020 and 2021 - with both races won by Lewis Hamilton - but fell off the calendar after that. However, F1 has agreed a two-year deal with the circuit for 2027 and 2028.

As such, could they be ready to start a year early, if needed? With a high likelihood of warm conditions and an agreement already in place with F1, Portugal is arguably the No 1 contender to step in.

The Algarve International Circuit will return to the calendar next year (Reuters)

Circuit Paul Ricard, France

Nobody was too upset when Paul Ricard, in Le Castellet near Marseille, dropped off the schedule in 2022. With Monaco within reach, the south of France already has its flagship F1 event.

Yet much like Portugal, it would likely provide dry conditions and could also be ready to host at a moment’s notice, given it still hosts endurance racing on a regular basis. Nonetheless, a long shot.

Paul Ricard is an outside bet (Getty Images)

Nurburgring, Germany

It was to much delight when one of the world’s most famous tracks, known as “The Green Hell”, returned to the calendar in 2020 for a one-off “Eifel Grand Prix.” Max Verstappen, as has been noted by his recent endurance races at the circuits, is one massive fan.

Could the 5.1km circuit layout (as opposed to the longer 20km track) step in? It would certainly be a popular move with the drivers and fans, bringing F1 back to Germany for the first time in six years. The Nurburgring would be the frontrunner to host over Hockenheim, which hosted the German Grand Prix until 2019.