Formula E will start new season in Mexico if Saudi opener cannot be held

Formula E's chief executive, Jeff Dodds, expressed confidence that the 2026-27 season will commence as planned in Saudi Arabia in December. However, the all-electric racing series has a contingency plan in place, ready to shift the opening race to Mexico in January if the situation in the region necessitates it.

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We talk to the kingdom on a very regular basis and obviously we're monitoring what's happening in that part of the world.

The championship is set to launch its new Gen4 era with two races in Jeddah on December 18-19. Mexico City is slated to host the subsequent race on January 16. This flexibility is crucial given the volatile geopolitical climate.

Both Formula One and the World Rally Championship are also facing decisions regarding their Middle East races scheduled for November and December. These decisions, influenced by factors such as the Iran war and naval blockades in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis, are expected in mid-September. Formula One has already seen cancellations and rescheduling due to the Iran conflict.

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Of course the situation changes so rapidly that monitoring it in July, August when you've got a race in December is maybe not that helpful. But there comes a point where a decision has to be taken because we start to ship cars and logistics out there.

Dodds stated that Formula E maintains regular communication with Saudi Arabia and closely monitors regional developments. "The situation changes so rapidly that monitoring it in July, August when you've got a race in December is maybe not that helpful," he noted. "But there comes a point where a decision has to be taken because we start to ship cars and logistics out there."

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I personally have a very high confidence that the race will go ahead in December in Jeddah.

Despite the uncertainties, Dodds remains optimistic. "I personally have a very high confidence that the race will go ahead in December in Jeddah," he said. He added that if Saudi Arabia proves unfeasible, the season would simply commence in Mexico. "If we couldn't start the season in Saudi Arabia in December, then the season will just start in January in Mexico at the next calendar race," Dodds confirmed.

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If we couldn't start the season in Saudi Arabia in December, then the season will just start in January in Mexico at the next calendar race.