LONDON – Formula 1 has officially announced its intention to kick off the 2027 season in Bahrain, amidst ongoing uncertainty regarding this year’s races in the Middle East.
The 24-race schedule released by F1 on Wednesday reveals that the Bahrain Grand Prix is set to commence on March 14, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix just a week later. The season will also feature events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi towards the end of the year, all of which are secured under long-term contracts to host F1 races. Additionally, Bahrain will serve as the venue for preseason testing in February.
A significant aspect of the current season is the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. In an interesting twist, an extra race in Malaysia next month will carry the branding of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Despite the challenges, both the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6 remain firmly on the schedule. While F1 has contemplated relocating the events to Europe if necessary, ticket sales for both races continue unabated.
In recent years, Bahrain has traditionally opened the F1 season, and its position was adjusted only in 2025 and 2026 to avoid a clash with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Looking ahead, the 2027 schedule is designed to avoid overlapping with major auto racing events such as the Indianapolis 500 on May 30 and the Le Mans 24-hour race on June 12-13, which saw conflicts this year. Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has expressed a desire to participate in Le Mans in the future.
In an exciting development, F1 plans to increase the number of sprint races from six to ten in 2027, including a debut at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, where overtaking has historically been a challenge. Bahrain will also host a sprint race at the start of the season, marking a first for the sport by commencing the season with a short-format race prior to the Grand Prix.
F1 has noted that race weekends featuring sprint races attract an average viewership that is 12% higher than those without. Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali emphasized that this expansion aims to deliver “more intensity, drama, and the wheel-to-wheel action that make our sport so special.”
As part of the 2027 season, F1 will return to Portugal for the first time since 2021, with the Portimao circuit replacing the Dutch Grand Prix. Additionally, the Turkish Grand Prix is making its return in October 2027 after securing a five-year contract in April.
Notably absent from the 2027 calendar will be the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, which has not missed a race since 1990. Following the loss of its title as the Spanish Grand Prix to Madrid this year, it will now alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix, with its next race scheduled for 2028.
While racing in the Middle East offers lucrative opportunities, it is not without its security concerns. Nevertheless, as of now, F1 has not indicated any imminent plans to cancel or relocate the Qatar or Abu Dhabi races.
Potential alternatives in Europe, such as a season-ending race at Italy’s Imola circuit, are under consideration. Domenicali had previously suggested that a decision could be reached by mid-September.
The races in the Middle East are particularly valuable for F1 and its teams, contributing substantial hosting fees, while corporate sponsors like Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Qatar Airways play a significant role in supporting the series.
Next week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will mark the closest F1 event to Iran since the outbreak of the war earlier this year, as Azerbaijan shares a land border with Iran.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the ongoing uncertainty regarding this year’s races in an interview, asserting that F1 is right to avoid making hasty decisions regarding safety. “Are we going to allow our people, our staff, the drivers, or the teams to go at risk? No, of course not. We will not,” he stated.
Speculation regarding potential changes to the upcoming Qatar and Abu Dhabi races has increased recently, particularly after Formula 2 announced an additional race in Azerbaijan next week. However, F2 has confirmed it will still participate in Qatar and Abu Dhabi with a “usual weekend format.”
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