F1 chief reveals plan for 2027 if US-Iran war continues after Saudi and Bahrain GP cancellations

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali has revealed that contingency plans are in place should conflict in the Middle East continue next year.

In recent years, the schedule for the next F1 season would be announced by now, but the release of the 2027 schedule has been delayed until the autumn amid uncertainty in the Middle East.

Domenicali has revealed a 'normal plan' will be announced for next season, though contingency plans will also be arranged should any of the races be cancelled.

Both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled this year, while the current season could yet end in Europe should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix also be shelved.

"In case the situation in the Middle East is not solved, we have options, different plans [for 2027]. But the trigger for that, of course, is at the end of the year, so we have still a lot of time to adjust," Domenicali said.

"But if the situation in that region is not solved for next year, F1 is a marginal point on which we should be worried marginally because the situation will be very bad.

"Just to assure you, we have different plans with different options already in place that will accommodate the fact that we will keep, in any case, the target of 24 races also for next year."

F1 in talks over adding new countries to calendar

F1 remains in talks with several countries over potential additions to the race calendar in the coming years. It has already been confirmed Turkey and Portugal will return to the calendar to replace Zandvoort and Barcelona.

It means any further additions would only join the 2028 schedule at the earliest, with Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand and Argentina all engaged in conversations over hosting race weekends.

Domenicali added: "Negotiations are progressing very well in Africa. We are having other discussions in South America. We have discussions in the Far East.

"One thing that I can tell you is that we have more requests in China and Japan, but for the moment, we want to stay with one race in China because we need to consolidate the market before thinking about having other options there."

The F1 president also revealed that Germany could return to the calendar after Hockenheim stopped hosting races in 2019 due to financial issues but is now under new ownership.

"It was Hockenheim that connected with us, and they had the first discussion," said Domenicali.

"They are developing the motorsport park there with a different objective. If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, of course the investment needs to be different - because our platform needs to have a different kind of investment. But we have discussed that."