F1 ANNOUNCES Calendar Shake-Up – October Race Added? Jeddah vs Bahrain Fight Heats Up for 2026
Formula 1 has announced that a major calendar shake-up is being considered for the 2026 season, with the sport actively working to add an October race between Baku and Singapore. The revelation came from Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft during the Canadian GP weekend, and it confirms what many insiders suspected: F1 is not ready to settle for 23 races.
The original 2026 provisional calendar featured 24 Grands Prix, but one Middle East round was removed earlier this year due to the ongoing regional crisis. That left Formula 1 with a gap in October that FOM is now desperate to fill. F1 has announced internally that reinstating a race in that slot is a priority, and two circuits are now fighting for it: Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Croft revealed F1’s preferred scenario: bringing back the Jeddah GP to create a brutal triple-header of Baku → Jeddah → Singapore. That would mean three consecutive street circuit races, all under lights, all high-risk, all fan favorites. Jeddah is billed as the “fastest street track on the calendar” with average speeds over 250 km/h. Drivers love the challenge, fans love the drama, and broadcasters love the visuals. For Saudi Arabia, getting Jeddah back would also reinforce its long-term commitment to F1 through 2030.
But logistics are complicating things. Bahrain has emerged as the safer option because all freight, equipment, and garage infrastructure from the season opener is still in the country. Moving everything from Baku to Jeddah and then to Singapore in just two weeks would be a nightmare for teams. Bahrain offers a plug-and-play solution. F1 has announced that Bahrain is currently the “preferred option” from an operational standpoint. No new shipping, no extra customs, no added strain on mechanics.
The decision is not just about logistics though. It’s about politics, money, and image. Saudi Arabia is pushing hard behind the scenes, arguing that Jeddah’s return would show confidence in the region despite the crisis. Bahrain, meanwhile, is offering stability and simplicity at a time when F1 needs certainty. FOM CEO Stefano Domenicali has said any final call will depend on “security assessments and approval from local authorities,” but the commercial pressure to hit 24 races is huge. TV deals and sponsorship contracts are built around a full calendar.
For drivers like McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, another race means more travel, more fatigue, more simulator work. Piastri already commented after Canada that McLaren needs to “make the car quicker” if they want to fight Mercedes. Adding another street circuit to the calendar won’t make that job easier. But for fans, the idea of a Baku-Jeddah-Singapore triple-header is mouthwatering. Three nights of chaos, walls, and late-night finishes.
F1 has announced that no final decision will be made until after the European leg of the season. The sport wants to monitor how the Middle East situation develops before committing. Teams have been asked to prepare contingency plans for both scenarios.
So right now it’s Jeddah for drama vs Bahrain for practicality. Will F1 announce Jeddah’s shock return and risk logistical headaches? Or will Bahrain get the nod and keep things simple? One thing is clear: F1 announcing a calendar shake-up proves the sport will do whatever it takes to protect its 24-race target.
The paddock waits. The decision is coming. And October 2026 just got interesting.
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