Formula One's 2027 race calendar is likely to be published next week but a decision on this year's season-ending Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix could slip to October, multiple paddock sources said on Friday.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in July that the season will end in Europe if the Middle Eastern races cannot be held due to conflict in the region and set a mid-September deadline.
That would be after this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit but the sources told Reuters it was likely to be extended beyond September to allow as much time as possible for the November 29 and December 6 races.
The usual sea freight deadlines have not applied for some time, given the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel, and everything would have to be flown to airports in Doha and Abu Dhabi that are currently open to international flights.
Both countries host U.S. air bases and have been hit by missiles and drones fired by Iran after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Formula One is owned by U.S.-based Liberty Media, has two prominent U.S.-owned teams and major American sponsors.
"At the moment we're planning on going there because they are on the calendar," Racing Bulls principal Alan Permane told reporters on Friday. "And if they're not on the calendar we'll go somewhere else. We'll be guided by Stefano and the FIA and we're a way off yet.
"I don't know how far we are away from a sort of drop-dead date for a decision."
The expectation across teams, while not voiced publicly, has been that the races will be cancelled even if local authorities are pushing for them to go ahead.
"Qatar has been safe for months now. Our airport is 100% operational, including transit flights between Asia and Europe. If you visit Qatar, you will see we are back to normal life, so we're really looking forward to hosting races again soon," Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said this month.
Commercial issues, many tens of millions of dollars of paid hosting fees and insurance are potential points of discussion, with some voices suggesting it might be a matter of who blinks first and Formula One wanting to do everything it could to support states that are also major F1 stakeholders.
Formula One's stance has long been that the races remain scheduled unless otherwise advised, and a spokesman emphasised that. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, an Emirati who heads the governing FIA, has said the decision will be guided by safety.
