Bahrain Retains Its Place on Motorsport’s Global Grid

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The kingdom secures key dates across multiple FIA championships in 2026

Bahrain’s role as a key hub in global motorsport has been reaffirmed following confirmation of the 2026 calendars across several top-tier FIA series, including Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and the World Rally-Raid Championship.

The announcement, made at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau and chaired by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, solidifies the kingdom’s ongoing commitment to motorsport at the highest level.

F1 and F3 Share the Stage

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be held from April 10 to 12, 2026, featuring the debut of F1 cars powered by 100% sustainable fuels—a major milestone in the sport’s green transition.

Over the same weekend, Bahrain will also host a round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, making it the Middle East’s sole representative in the ten-round junior series. This joint showcase of senior and feeder series underlines Bahrain's status as a cradle of racing development.

Full Middle East Slate in Formula Championships

Bahrain is one of four Middle Eastern venues confirmed for the 2026 Formula 1 and Formula 2 calendars, alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. The region will also feature in the Formula E calendar, with Saudi Arabia staging back-to-back races in Jeddah on February 13 and 14, 2026.

The F2 series will run in tandem with F1, placing Bahrain in a pivotal position as both a sporting and logistical anchor for the season's early stages.

Rally-Raid Continues Across the Region

Bahrain may not be a host for the World Rally-Raid Championship, but the wider Gulf remains heavily involved. Saudi Arabia will again open the 2026 W2RC season with the Dakar Rally from January 3 to 17, followed by Morocco in late September and Abu Dhabi in November.

These events bolster the Middle East’s footprint in off-road rallying, complementing its high-profile circuit racing presence.

FIA Pushes Ahead with 2027 WRC Vision

In addition to confirming 2026 dates, the FIA has advanced its long-term rally strategy. The WRC27 rulebook, set to define the World Rally Championship’s future from 2027 to 2037, has been finalised.

A new bodywork volume framework offers manufacturers broad freedom in design, allowing anything from hatchbacks and saloons to crossovers and custom-built entries—without compromising on performance. The flexibility aims to attract innovation and investment while maintaining regulatory clarity.

A Clear Message from the FIA

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem underlined the importance of this transitional period: “2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships, new agreements across our championships are unlocking fresh potential.”

That potential includes sustainability targets, fresh talent development, and a broadening global reach—goals Bahrain continues to align with through its sustained presence on the calendar.

A Measured but Meaningful Step

Bahrain's confirmed inclusion in the 2026 motorsport calendar—spanning from Formula 1 to F3—reaffirms its status not just as a venue, but as a foundational part of motorsport’s evolving ecosystem. As the FIA balances innovation with heritage, Bahrain is proving itself ready for both.