FIA President drops bombshell on 2026 race calendar and introduces new country

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has suggested that a Grand Prix could take place in a country that has not hosted a race since 2021 during the 2026 campaign.

Following the Miami Grand Prix, F1 now turns its attention to the fifth race of the season in Canada on May 24.

As things stand, the usual 24-race season appears to have been reduced to 22 due to the recent cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix following the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Both races were due to take place in April, but instead, the sport took a five-week hiatus. There have been suggestions that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix may be rescheduled for December alongside the other Middle Eastern races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this month, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali issued an update on the situation, suggesting that rescheduling the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix “is already quite difficult”.

Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: “Our calendar is already quite full. We may recover one.

“We have a deadline before which we must decide whether the situation will allow us to proceed.

“We hope so, as you can imagine, for the sake of the bigger picture.”

FIA chief issues Saudi GP replacement update

While there is no indication that a decision is imminent, FIA President Ben Sulayem has hinted that the Turkish Grand Prix may take place later this year if the Bahrain and Saudi races cannot be reorganised, despite initially being set to return in 2027, having not hosted a Grand Prix since 2021.

A possible October slot, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore races, is also being looked into, according to RacingNews365.

"Around Qatar, you could delay one week, push everything,” Sulayem told the outlet.

"If not, then maybe we could have Turkey this year if it finishes its homologation, and the rest of their needs.

"Logistically, [it's a case of] what's the best scenario? We're consulting with the promoters. It's about where we want to go, and we will try to facilitate, but not without putting stress on our staff. That would be too much."

Discussing the season’s two final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, he added: “There is a bigger issue than just motorsport.

"It is the way we live, it's the changes, it's the stress in that area.

"If we talk about the leadership there, as a government, how they handled it, not to retaliate, was very wise. It takes strength not to do this.

"Sport can wait. What is more important? Humans or motorsport? Or any sport? Humans are always the priority.

"Hopefully, it will be over soon, so that we can go back to normal and not live in the way that we are living, with this stress.

"God forbid, if it goes on to October, November, we'll just have to not go because security and safety come first."