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Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali says the sport wants to bring back at least one of the two Gulf races canceled earlier this season due to the war in the Middle East.
The rounds scheduled for Bahrain and Jeddah in April were dropped after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, a conflict that spread across the Arab Gulf states.
Domenicali did not confirm which of the two races could return but said F1 is examining whether there is space to bring one back once conditions allow it.
Speaking to UK broadcaster Sky Sports on Saturday evening, Domenicali said F1 would announce its decision on the matter when the timing and circumstances are right.
He said the plan would go ahead if all the conditions line up, adding, 'If there is a chance, why not.'
A decision on reinstating a race needs to be made before the August summer break, Domenicali said, citing logistical reasons.
Sky Sports has reported that Bahrain is considered the more likely candidate to return, potentially slotted into the calendar in early October between the Baku and Singapore rounds. No official confirmation has been given on the exact date or venue.
The current F1 calendar includes 22 races this season, down from the original schedule after the two Gulf rounds were canceled.
The final two rounds of the season remain scheduled in the Gulf region regardless: Qatar, followed by the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December.
Domenicali said F1's duty is to make sure the calendar runs as planned and that the sport continues to monitor the situation in the region.
According to Domenicali, seeing those two rounds proceed as scheduled would send a positive signal to the sport and indicate that the regional conflict has been resolved.
He did not provide further detail on contingency plans should conditions in the region prevent the Qatar or Abu Dhabi rounds from proceeding as scheduled or on what specific conditions would need to be met for the Bahrain or Jeddah rounds to be reinstated.
The developments come as the United States and Iran continue negotiations aimed at reaching a lasting end to the conflict in the Middle East.
Neither F1 nor Domenicali has set a firm timeline for confirming whether a Gulf race will be added back to this season's calendar, though the president indicated an update could come before the summer break, given the logistical deadline he cited.
Domenicali also did not specify whether a restored Bahrain or Jeddah round would replace another event on the calendar or be added as an additional round, leaving the final shape of the 2026 schedule unclear for now.
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