Bahrain Back as F1 2027 Season Opener
Formula 1 has revealed its 24-race calendar for 2027, with Bahrain set to host the opening race on March 14. This marks the return of Bahrain as the season starter after a two-year absence due to the Iran war. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will follow a week later.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi are also confirmed to hold races towards the end of the season. All four Middle Eastern venues have long-term agreements with Formula 1, while Bahrain will also host preseason testing in February.
This year’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races were canceled due to the conflict. As a result, Malaysia is stepping in with an additional race next month, which will carry the Bahrain Grand Prix name.
The Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6 remain on the 2026 calendar. Formula 1 has contingency plans to move races to Europe if Middle East events cannot proceed, though tickets for both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are still available.
Bahrain typically kicks off the F1 season but lost the slot in 2025 and 2026 due to scheduling conflicts with Ramadan. The 2027 calendar avoids clashes with major motorsport events like the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
F1 is expanding sprint races from six to ten in 2027, including a debut at Monaco. A sprint race will also precede the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix for the first time. These shorter races have boosted viewership by 12%, according to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Formula 1 returns to Portugal in June for the first time since 2021, replacing the Dutch Grand Prix. The Turkish Grand Prix is also returning in October after a five-year contract was signed earlier this year.
For the first time since 1990, there will be no race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. It previously hosted under the Barcelona-Catalunya name but will alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix and return in 2028.
No updates were provided on whether F1 plans to cancel or move the Qatar or Abu Dhabi races. A potential European alternative for the season finale is Italy’s Imola circuit, which is considered the most likely option.
The Middle East races are crucial for F1, as they provide significant financial support and major sponsorship deals with companies like Aramco and Qatar Airways.
Next week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the closest F1 has been to Iran since the war began earlier this year. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that F1 would not risk its staff or teams by proceeding without confirmation on safety.
Formula 2, which supports F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, added an extra race in Azerbaijan this week but plans to follow a usual format in both Middle Eastern venues.