{
  "id": 7810798,
  "title": "F1 Plans 2027 Middle East Return Despite Iran War",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/f1-plans-2027-middle-east-return-despite-iran-war-7810798",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T15:05:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/article/f1-saudi-bahrain-iran-war-schedule/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Next season's Formula One calendar has been unveiled, with races planned in the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict. The 2027 season will feature 24 races, a record number, with the inaugural event set to take place in Bahrain from March 12–14. Saudi Arabia will host the subsequent Grand Prix. Amid the war, both countries were originally slated to host races, but these were canceled. Bahrain's Grand Prix moved from its original April date to Malaysia, then rescheduled for early October. The 2027 calendar announcement precedes F1's decision on the final two races of the 2026 season, scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed in July that these two races were still confirmed, but the organization is contemplating moving the season's finale to Europe if the Middle East's situation remains unclear. Both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have been affected by the conflict this month. A Congressional Budget Office report states that the U.S. has spent over $38 billion on the war so far. Domenicali indicated that a decision on the 2027 schedule would be made in the middle of September. Following the Qatar race, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 21st race of the season, would be the minimum required for F1 to meet its contractual obligations. However, Domenicali expressed a preference for holding one additional race if Qatar and Abu Dhabi are canceled, preferably in Italy, specifically at the Imola track. As a backup plan, Imola could be utilized to conclude the season.",
  "summary": "F1’s first two 2027 races are scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "F1 Plans 2027 Middle East Return Despite Iran War",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/f1-plans-2027-middle-east-return-despite-iran-war",
        "published": "2026-09-16T15:05:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}