Silverstone could host second Grand Prix in 2026 after Middle East cancellations

An F1 circuit could host two Grands Prix in 2026 after offering to step in in place of the recently cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

F1 returns in Miami this weekend after a five-week hiatus due to the cancellations of the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix following the outbreak of conflict between US and Israeli forces and Iran in the Middle East.

As things stand, the season has been reduced from the scheduled 24 races to 22, with F1 yet to provide a clear stance on whether the Middle East races will be rescheduled later in the year, despite suggestions from some quarters that they be moved to December.

As F1 prepares for the fourth race of the campaign, with drivers once again having to get used to further tweaks to the regulations, Sky News’ Rob Dorsett has issued an update on whether one circuit could host more races despite already having the rights to stage one Grand Prix in 2026.

F1 circuit boss offers to host second race

Silverstone CEO Stuart Pringle told the outlet they have offered to step in if more races in the Middle East – such as Qatar and Abu Dhabi – have to be cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Pringle said: “I have offered because we stepped in during Covid, and we were able to help Formula One, and of course, will again. There are numerous practicalities that need to be considered, but the offer is there, and we can move quickly if asked.”

When asked if Silverstone had spare windows in the year to hold additional races, he added: “I pride myself on not having spare windows, but everything is movable in a crisis.”

It remains unclear whether F1 will take up Silverstone’s offer, with Liam Parker, chief corporate relations officer at F1, saying: “This situation [in the Middle East] is so fluid and so dynamic… nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone September or October. We have a long period of time until our events in the Middle East region.”

The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are currently scheduled to take place on November 29 and December 6.

Silverstone previously hosted back-to-back races in August 2020 during the COVID-19-impacted season.

F1, like most global corporations, has also acknowledged the increased cost of travel due to rising oil prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s largest shipping lanes.

Ahead of the Miami race, Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell lead the standings.