Formula 2 Eyes North American Expansion to Replace Cancelled Middle East Rounds
Formula 2 is aggressively pursuing a calendar shift to North America, with efforts underway to secure race slots in Miami and Montreal. This strategic move aims to fill a significant void in the 2026 schedule following the cancellation of events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The Impact of Middle East Cancellations
The Formula 2 organization was originally scheduled to compete in Bahrain and Jeddah during April. However, these rounds were cancelled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has made organizing events in the region impossible according to GPblog. This disruption created a precarious gap in the competitive season, leaving drivers without a race from their last appearance in Melbourne on March 8 until the event in Monaco in early June.
Strategic Shift to Miami and Montreal
To avoid a three-month hiatus, F2 is working to integrate races into the Grand Prix weekends in Miami and Montreal. While the organization and teams have expressed a strong desire to travel to North America, the plan is currently awaiting final confirmation.
Time is a critical factor in these negotiations. For the Miami event to occur during the weekend of May 3, the organization must finalize the decision quickly to ensure equipment is shipped to the United States in time as reported by GPblog. Discussions regarding these alternative venues began in late March, including a meeting on March 24 to determine if F2 and potentially F3 would join the Miami and Canada schedules via Reddit.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Season
- Cancelled Rounds: Bahrain and Jeddah are off the calendar due to regional conflict.
- Proposed Replacements: Miami and Montreal are the primary targets for replacement races.
- Critical Timeline: A decision is urgent to allow for the logistics of shipping equipment for a potential May 3 start in Miami.
- Schedule Gap: Without these additions, drivers face a gap from March 8 (Melbourne) to early June (Monaco).
Looking Ahead
The potential addition of North American rounds represents more than just a schedule fix; it places the feeder series in a high-visibility market alongside Formula 1. The racing community now awaits the final go-ahead to see if the logistical hurdles can be cleared in time to keep the 2026 championship momentum alive.