F1 circuit issues statement over replacing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on 2026 calendar

One of the two Formula 1 circuits named as possible replacements for the cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix has left the door open to feature on the 2026 calendar if needed - though does not want to open talks with the FIA.

F1 chiefs announced that on March 14 that the Middle Eastern races, both set for April, would no longer take place.

The FIA conducted 'careful evaluations' amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Iran and a joint operation by United States and Israel.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli military bases across the West Region of the Middle East after they were the victim of a 'major combat operation' by the two aforementioned countries on February 28.

It was reported that Imola and Portimao, which have previously hosted F1 races and hold the correct FIA accreditation, were both on standby in case a replacement Grand Prix was required.

Formula 1 stopped visiting Imola after the 2006 season but, following major circuit redevelopments and the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to stage the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix from 2020 onwards.

However, the circuit was dropped from the calendar for 2026.

Imola - full name Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari - was dropped from the 2026 F1 calendar (Image: Getty)

Marco Panieri, the Mayor of Imola, says that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit would be 'ready' to host a Grand Prix if the FIA made contact - but that he does not want to engage in talks while the war is ongoing.

"We wait without moving," Panieri told Motorsport.com Italy. "We would prefer the war to end.

"If there is a need, F1 knows that we would be ready to organise an event, but talking about it now makes no sense.

"Right now, I think it makes more sense to hope that the conflict stops, rather than to hope to have a Grand Prix in the 2026 calendar.

"We have adopted a conscious attitude. We're not moving, but we'd rather wait."

Could another Grand Prix be added to the calendar?

In the unlikely event of a Grand Prix needing to be added to the 2026 calendar, there would be a limited number of slots for an additional Grand Prix to fit in to.

There is a two-week gap between the British and Belgian Grands Prix in July, and another two-week gap between the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix in August and September.

Given Emilia-Romagna is an administrative region in northern Italy, it would perhaps make the most sense to fit a race at Imola in the second gap to minimise travel.

It has been noted, however, that the saving on team travel costs is one of the reasons why the decision has been taken by the FIA to not replace the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races at present.