Formula E confirms its Jeddah opener on 18 December will run, even as the Middle East conflict widens.
Decision amid rising tensions
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) Formula E championship‑chief Alberto Longo told Motorsport.com that, after repeated briefings with Saudi authorities, the series is ready to launch the Gen 4 era in Jeddah. Longo emphasized that team principals, manufacturers and local partners have been briefed on contingency plans.
Risk assessment and plan B
Weekly reports from three international safety bodies—including one from the United States, another from Britain and a third from continental Europe—indicate the risk of travelling to Jeddah as low to moderate. Longo added that should conditions deteriorate, a ‘plan B’ move has been drafted, yet no immediate postponement is foreseen.
Jeddah’s strategic advantage
Unlike Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, Jeddah sits on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, further from current conflict zones. The city’s Corniche Circuit hosted Formula E’s first Gen 4 race in 2025, solidifying its status as a recurring venue for the sport.
Saudi Arabia’s stake in Formula E
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds a minority stake in Formula E Holdings Ltd., while local sponsors such as PIF, SABIC and Saudi Airline support the championships. The country’s investment underscores its importance to the series’ growth strategy.
Potential fallout for other series
While Formula E aims to move forward, other motorsport titles face uncertainty. Formula 1 has relocated its Bahrain round to Malaysia and has yet to decide on the fate of its Qatar and Abu Dhabi double‑header. MotoGP’s singular Middle East event in Qatar remains undetermined.
First Gen 4 race‑forced impact
The Jeddah event marks a technical milestone: Gen 4 cars deliver 800 bhp and surpass the power of comparable Formula 2 machinery in standard circuits. If the race is cancelled, the season would shift to begin in Mexico on 16 January, with no additional December rounds added.
With authorities expressing confidence and safety reviews showing manageable risk, Formula E’s 2026‑27 season will launch in Jeddah, setting the pace for a new era of electric racing at the start of December.
"