FIA Confirms Major World Championship Calendars For 2026 With Key Events In UAE

The UAE continues to shine on the global motorsport scene with the announcement of the FIA's major world championship calendars for 2026. The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled at Yas Marina Circuit from 4th to 6th December next year. This event will feature the next generation of F1 cars running on fully sustainable fuels.

During a meeting in Macau, chaired by FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem, the FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmed these details. The gathering was part of the Federation’s annual conference, bringing together its global community. The 2026 FI World Championship will also include three other Middle East rounds: Bahrain from 10th to 12th April, Saudi Arabia from 17th to 19th April, and Qatar from 27th to 29th November.

Saudi Arabia will host consecutive Jeddah races in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar on 13th and 14th February. Additionally, the Middle East will have four rounds in the 2026 F2 Championship, aligning with F1 races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. The Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia kicks off next year's FIA World Rally-Raid Championship from 3rd to 17th January.

The Rally du Maroc is set for 28th September to 3rd October, while the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will occur from 22nd to 27th November. Bahrain represents the Middle East in the ten-round F3 calendar. These events highlight the region's growing significance in international motorsport.

FIA President Ben Sulayem remarked, "2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships with technological milestones being reached, new talent emerging, and battles being fought on the track and across stages each week." The WRC27 ruleset has undergone final refinements over six months. Confirmation in Macau of reference volumes for bodywork underscores the FIA's commitment to flexibility within these regulations.

The rules specify a zone where all bodywork panels must be located. However, within this space, manufacturers have freedom in design choices. This allows for diverse entries ranging from saloons to hatchbacks and cross-overs without affecting performance over a ten-year regulation cycle until 2037.

The UAE's role in hosting significant motorsport events underscores its importance on this stage. With sustainable innovations and flexible regulations shaping future competitions, the region remains pivotal in advancing global motorsport dynamics.

With inputs from WAM