Azerbaijan GP on a Saturday in 2026, F1 to test in January
Formula One and the governing FIA said the change of date for the race in Baku had been made at the request of the promoter and government stakeholders.
Originally scheduled for September 27 next year, it will now be held on the 26th with each day of the event also moving forward.
That will mean Formula One having two Saturday races on next year's 24-round calendar, with the Las Vegas night grand prix scheduled for November 21.
Formula One is entering a new engine era next season with major technical changes and the new cars will hit the track earlier than usual, with teams having three pre-season tests to shake out any gremlins.
The first on January 26-30 will be a private one at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The second and third, with the usual access for media, will be in Bahrain between February 11-13 and 18-20. The season starts in Australia on March 8.
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Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
F1 has a plan if Middle East races cannot happen
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Formula One F1 - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 20, 2025 Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore and Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali arrive before the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo LONDON - Formula One has a plan to keep the show on the road should season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi be affected by conflict in the Middle East, chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on Tuesday. The Italian emphasised there was no current concern they might not be held. Qatar is due to host the penultimate round of the championship on November 30 with Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina following on December 7 with what has been a title decider in the past. Iran responded to U.S. participation in Israel's 12-day air war against Iran last month by firing missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar, just across the Gulf from Iran. Airline services in the Middle East have been heavily disrupted with some countries closing their airspace for a period. Domenicali said Formula One was in daily contact with promoters in the Middle East, who he said remained relaxed, and closely monitoring the situation. "To say something on that is very, very difficult," he replied when asked if he felt there was a real risk of the races not happening. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore "So far, we don't have this kind of signal and so we are really hoping not. So I don't want to even think about it, mainly for the bigger picture and not for the racing itself... and of course in case of, we have a plan. "But let's hope this will not be even thinkable." Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the last two races in a triple-header on successive weekends that starts with Las Vegas on November 22 with the cars then flown straight to the Middle East. While weather conditions in December would make it tricky to host replacement races at some European tracks there are warmer options such as Portugal's Algarve circuit, which was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Europe is big, the temperatures are quite mild in certain areas," said Domenicali, who agreed one circuit might host both races. "Definitely we cannot go in places where there will be snow. "But as I said, I am not even thinking about that. "We are not worried at all that this will have an effect on the championship." Formula One raced in Saudi Arabia in 2022 despite attacks launched by Yemen's Houthis on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit. Domenicali said Formula One was there then because it was sure of the guarantees of safety but recognised situations could change fast. "We just need to be always ready and monitor the situation," he said. REUTERS
CNA
8 hours ago
- CNA
F1 has a plan if Middle East races cannot happen
LONDON :Formula One has a plan to keep the show on the road should season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi be affected by conflict in the Middle East, chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on Tuesday. The Italian emphasised there was no current concern they might not be held. Qatar is due to host the penultimate round of the championship on November 30 with Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina following on December 7 with what has been a title decider in the past. Iran responded to U.S. participation in Israel's 12-day air war against Iran last month by firing missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar, just across the Gulf from Iran. Airline services in the Middle East have been heavily disrupted with some countries closing their airspace for a period. Domenicali said Formula One was in daily contact with promoters in the Middle East, who he said remained relaxed, and closely monitoring the situation. "To say something on that is very, very difficult," he replied when asked if he felt there was a real risk of the races not happening. "So far, we don't have this kind of signal and so we are really hoping not. So I don't want to even think about it, mainly for the bigger picture and not for the racing itself... and of course in case of, we have a plan. "But let's hope this will not be even thinkable." Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the last two races in a triple-header on successive weekends that starts with Las Vegas on November 22 with the cars then flown straight to the Middle East. While weather conditions in December would make it tricky to host replacement races at some European tracks there are warmer options such as Portugal's Algarve circuit, which was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Europe is big, the temperatures are quite mild in certain areas," said Domenicali, who agreed one circuit might host both races. "Definitely we cannot go in places where there will be snow. "But as I said, I am not even thinking about that. "We are not worried at all that this will have an effect on the championship." Formula One raced in Saudi Arabia in 2022 despite attacks launched by Yemen's Houthis on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit. Domenicali said Formula One was there then because it was sure of the guarantees of safety but recognised situations could change fast.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
F1 talks up Silverstone's 'forever' future before Starmer meeting
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