Formula E insists Jeddah season opener is on despite Middle East conflict

Formula E remains confident that the opening round of the Gen4 era will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The war between the US, Israel, and Iran has disrupted supply chains, raised oil prices, and complicated international travel, impacting various motorsport championships. However, Formula E managed to avoid major disruptions during its 2025-26 season, with the Saudi Arabian round occurring safely in mid-February before the war commenced.

The championship's 2026-27 campaign is scheduled to begin at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 18, raising questions about the start of the Gen4 era. Despite the conflict, Formula E expects the Jeddah opener to proceed as planned, having received regular reports from local authorities and international organizations monitoring the situation.

The championship's chief championship officer, Alberto Longo, stated that Formula E has a plan B in case the race becomes unsafe, but as of now, they are confident that the race will proceed on December 18. The Jeddah event marks the debut of the Gen 4 car, which can produce 800bhp and outperform a Formula 2 machine on the track.

Saudi Arabia is a significant market for Formula E, with the Public Investment Fund, SABIC, and Saudia airline serving as sponsors. If the race were to be cancelled, the Mexico event on January 16 would kick off the new Gen 4 era.