Suzuka is seen as a potential back-up option if the games between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are ultimately called off due to current issues in the Middle East.
The 2026 F1 season will feature back-to-back races in Australia and China, followed by the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. However, events in the Middle East have raised questions about the agenda ahead.
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The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from April 10 to 12, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place next weekend. But those events are now up in the air, especially after the opening WEC event in Qatar was recently postponed.
Some teams have been affected by the unrest. Ferrari and Bulls were hardest hit and had to change their travel plans from Italy and instead take charter flights from the UK.
F1 considers Suzuka double-race as Bahrain replacement faces logistical challenges
F1 bosses are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely, but finding suitable replacements for the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix will not be easy. While venues such as Portimão, Imola and Paul Ricard were all mentioned, each presents its own challenges.
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According to Blick, F1 has contacted Portimao and Imola to assess their preparations. However, Suzuka is now being viewed as a more practical option. The idea of hosting two consecutive races in Japan is growing in popularity within the paddock.
Suzuka’s strong relationship with F1 makes it an attractive option compared to other circuits that lack existing contracts or recent experience of hosting races. If European alternatives fail due to time or logistics, Suzuka’s back-to-back events could provide a more feasible solution for all involved.
The situation seems more manageable than trying to schedule two European games before the continental calendar officially kicks off later in June. The 2026 F1 calendar begins with three races in Australia, China and Japan before turning west.
With teams already starting to ship equipment across Asia for this period of racing, another race in Japan would fit better into existing plans than an unexpected return to Europe. Each team typically requires four to five separate hauls to move all their gear between rounds.
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Why Suzuka could have two races in 2026
If the Bahrain race is postponed, F1 may fill the gap with another race at Suzuka. According to the calendar, Suzuka will host the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix from March 27 to 29, followed by a week off before the Bahrain Grand Prix from April 10 to 12.
Suzuka doesn’t have any major races scheduled immediately following F1’s visit, but the Super Rapid series will be held there on April 18-19. The timing means that if F1 goes ahead with back-to-back races, they may need to hold two consecutive weekends in Japan.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are the only two rounds of competition in April. After that, F1 will head to Miami, USA from May 1st to 3rd. The gap between races gives F1 the flexibility to add European events if needed.
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