Formula E sticks with Jeddah Gen4 opener despite security concerns & reveals contingency plan

Formula E is still planning to open the Gen4 era in Jeddah despite the tense security situation in the Middle East. CEO Jeff Dodds confirmed the plan during a media roundtable attended by e-Formula.news. Should the races on 18 and 19 December be unable to go ahead, however, the season would not begin until almost a month later in Mexico. Formula E is not currently looking for a replacement venue at short notice.

The ongoing security situation in the Middle East has already had a significant impact on international motorsport. Formula 1, among others, was unable to stage its originally scheduled Bahrain Grand Prix. The race is now set to be held at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October, while decisions on the events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are expected in September.

Formula E, meanwhile, is continuing with its plans to open Season 13 with two night races at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 18 and 19 December 2026. The event is also set to mark the competitive debut of the new Gen4 car.

"At the moment, that is absolutely our plan," Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds says of the proposed season opener. "We are in very regular contact with the Kingdom and continue to closely monitor what is happening in that part of the world."

It has not yet been determined when a final decision would have to be made. Given the logistical requirements involved, however, Formula E cannot wait until immediately before the race weekend.

"The situation there changes very quickly. So if you have a race in December, checking in July or August might not be particularly helpful," Dodds explains. "But at some point, you reach a point where a decision has to be made. Ultimately, we have to ship all the cars there in December. I remain very confident that the races in Jeddah can take place in December."

Formula E would start season in Mexico if Jeddah cannot go ahead

Should the security situation not improve sufficiently by then, Formula E already has a contingency plan. Any decision to postpone the event would be made jointly with the authorities in Saudi Arabia.

"If we collectively decide not to hold the race weekend as planned, there is an alternative date later in the year that we can move the races to," Dodds explains. "But that would be a joint decision between ourselves and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Formula E is not planning to find another venue at short notice to replace Jeddah. If the December double-header cannot take place, Season 13 would instead begin with the Mexico City E-Prix on 16 January 2027.

"If we can't start the season in Saudi Arabia, the season opener will move to the next date on the calendar, which is Mexico in January," says Dodds. "We don't believe a replacement venue would be necessary, so we're not trying to find one at short notice."

In that scenario, the Gen4 era would begin almost a month later than planned. For now, however, the Jeddah races remain scheduled for 18 and 19 December 2026.