Why Middle East turmoil gives F1 the perfect chance to make Europe its main hub again

Formula 1's ever-expanding calendar outside Europe has gradually reduced the continent's prominence over the years. With instability in the Middle East becoming increasingly frequent, could the time have come for Europe to regain a more central role?

It comes amid recent reports that the scheduled WEC races in Qatar and Bahrain are likely to be dropped from the calendar, with the season instead expected to conclude in Europe. The developments have also sparked fresh discussion around Formula 1, which is still planning to end its season with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, although that scenario is now facing renewed uncertainty.

The timing is particularly significant, as an announcement confirming the Bahrain Grand Prix's return to the calendar after its cancellation in April had appeared to be imminent. However, the latest developments have once again cast doubt over those plans, delaying any official confirmation while uncertainty remains over whether the race will be abandoned for this season.

Should Europe once again become Formula 1's main hub?

Of the current 24 races on the Formula 1 calendar - excluding this season's exception, with 22 events currently expected to take place - only nine are held in Europe, a significant drop compared to even two decades ago. Back in 2000, for example, 11 of the 17 races were staged in Europe, meaning 64.7% of the calendar was made up of European events, compared to 37.5% today - a net difference of 27.2 percentage points.

It is clear that times have changed, and Formula 1 has evolved accordingly. Nowhere is that more evident than in the sport's growing presence across the Americas. Alongside long-established races such as the Canadian Grand Prix in North America, the Mexican Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix in South America, Formula 1 has added three events in the United States alone, first in Austin, followed by Miami and, more recently, Las Vegas.

Photo: Race Pictures

The expansion into the United States effectively followed the first major wave of Formula 1's global growth, which began around the mid-2010s with the arrival of the Bahrain Grand Prix and later the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Over the years, Abu Dhabi became closely associated with hosting the season finale, producing several dramatic title deciders, including those in 2010, 2016 and 2021, as well as last year's showdown, when Lando Norris defeated Max Verstappen by just two points to claim the world championship.

Europe nevertheless remains Formula 1's main stronghold and the backbone of the calendar, and it is difficult to imagine that changing in the near future. However, recent events in the Gulf could prompt the sport to reconsider whether it is time to place greater emphasis once again on the continent where Formula 1 was born.

2025 Abu Dhabi GP - Photo: Race Pictures

The arrival of the Madrid Grand Prix and Portimão's return from 2027 already represent small signs that Europe is beginning to reclaim some of the ground it has lost over the years. At the same time, there are still major regions yet to be represented, most notably Africa, whose return to the calendar has long been championed by Lewis Hamilton.