Formula E is preparing a contingency plan for the start of its 2026–27 season as the championship continues to monitor developments in the Middle East ahead of its planned opening races in Saudi Arabia. The electric single-seater championship remains confident that the season will begin in Jeddah on December 18 and 19, but officials have confirmed that Mexico City could become the season opener in January if the Saudi Arabian races cannot go ahead.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said the championship is maintaining regular communication with Saudi Arabia while monitoring the regional situation. Although Dodds expressed strong confidence that the Jeddah E-Prix will proceed as scheduled, he acknowledged that decisions surrounding a December event need to take into account the rapidly changing circumstances and the logistical demands of organising an international motorsport race.
The contingency plan would allow Formula E to avoid immediately replacing the Saudi Arabian races with a completely new event. Instead, the championship could simply begin its season with the next race already scheduled on the calendar: the Mexico City E-Prix on January 16.
Table of Contents
Jeddah Scheduled to Host New GEN4 Era
The 2026–27 Formula E season is expected to mark the beginning of a significant new chapter for the championship with the introduction of its GEN4 cars.
The new generation of Formula E machinery is scheduled to make its competitive debut in Jeddah, where two races are currently planned for December 18 and 19. The double-header would therefore carry additional importance because it would officially launch the GEN4 era.
Under the existing calendar, Formula E would then travel to Mexico City for a race on January 16. If the Jeddah races cannot take place in December, Mexico City would consequently move into the spotlight as the opening round of the new season.
That possibility gives Formula E a relatively straightforward alternative because Mexico City is already part of the championship’s planned calendar.
Rather than rushing to organise a completely new venue at short notice, the championship could begin the campaign at a location that already has an established Formula E event and the necessary organisational infrastructure.
Formula E Continues to Monitor the Situation
Dodds said Formula E is in regular contact with Saudi Arabia and is closely following developments in the region.
Speaking ahead of the championship’s title-deciding finale in London on August 15–16, he explained that the situation could change significantly between the summer and December.
The timing creates a particular challenge for Formula E. While the championship needs to prepare well in advance for an international race, making a final decision too early could prove difficult when circumstances remain fluid.
Dodds indicated that the championship would eventually have to reach a point where a decision is necessary because teams and organisers need to begin shipping cars, equipment and other logistical resources to the region.
Despite those concerns, the Formula E chief executive remains optimistic.
He has expressed a high level of confidence that the Jeddah races will take place in December, suggesting that the contingency plan is being maintained as a precaution rather than because Formula E has already decided to move the opener.
Mexico City Ready as Alternative Season Opener
If the Saudi Arabian races are postponed or cancelled, Mexico City would become the first race of the 2026–27 Formula E season.
The Mexican capital is already scheduled to host Formula E on January 16, meaning the championship would not necessarily need to add another race to compensate for the absence of the December event.
This is an important aspect of the contingency strategy.
Formula E’s calendar already provides a natural alternative because the next scheduled race comes only a few weeks after the proposed Saudi Arabian opener. Moving the beginning of the championship to Mexico City would therefore preserve the existing calendar structure while giving organisers additional time to assess the situation in Saudi Arabia.
For teams and manufacturers, such a change would also provide a clearer logistical pathway than an entirely new replacement event.
The Mexico City race has an established place on the calendar, meaning preparations can continue even while Formula E evaluates whether Jeddah can safely host the opening double-header.
No Immediate Replacement Race Planned
One of the key points from Formula E’s contingency planning is that the championship does not currently appear to be seeking an entirely new race to replace the Saudi Arabian event.
Instead, if the Jeddah races cannot happen in December, the season would simply start with the next scheduled calendar event.
Dodds explained that Formula E would not necessarily need to find another race to fill the December slot. Mexico City could effectively become the opening round in January.
This approach would simplify the situation for the championship.
Organising a Formula E race requires extensive preparation involving teams, drivers, local authorities, broadcasters, logistics providers, circuit operations and safety personnel. Attempting to create a completely new event at short notice would therefore present significant challenges.
Using an existing race venue reduces those complications.
Logistics Will Influence the Final Decision
The timing of any decision will be particularly important because Formula E is an international championship that transports large quantities of equipment around the world.
Cars, spare parts, charging equipment, technical systems, garage equipment and other materials have to be moved between venues. Teams also need sufficient time to prepare personnel and operational plans.
That means Formula E cannot wait indefinitely before deciding whether the Jeddah races will take place.
Dodds pointed to the need to begin shipping cars and logistics equipment as one reason why a decision will eventually have to be made.
At the same time, deciding too early could create unnecessary disruption if conditions improve.
Formula E is therefore attempting to balance two competing requirements: maintaining flexibility while also giving teams enough certainty to prepare for the new season.
GEN4 Adds Importance to the Jeddah Races
The situation carries additional significance because the planned Jeddah double-header is scheduled to launch the GEN4 era in Formula E.
The championship’s new cars represent the next stage in the development of its electric racing technology. Their introduction is expected to attract considerable attention from fans, manufacturers and the wider motorsport community.
Starting the season in Jeddah would therefore give Saudi Arabia the opportunity to host the first competitive races involving the new-generation cars.
If the opener is moved to Mexico City, however, the Mexican event would instead become the first competitive showcase for GEN4 machinery.
Either way, the arrival of the new cars is expected to remain one of the biggest storylines surrounding the upcoming season.
Saudi Arabia Remains the Preferred Option
Despite the contingency planning, Formula E has not indicated that it has abandoned its plans for Saudi Arabia.
Dodds’ comments suggest that Jeddah remains the preferred destination for the opening round, with Mexico City serving as a backup if circumstances prevent the December races from taking place.
The championship’s continued confidence is significant because it indicates that contingency preparations should not necessarily be interpreted as confirmation that the Saudi Arabian races will be cancelled.
Instead, Formula E is preparing for multiple scenarios so that the championship can respond if circumstances change.
This approach is common in international motorsport, where races can be affected by logistical, environmental, political or other external factors.
A Contingency Date Is Also Available
Formula E has another option beyond simply moving the season opener to Mexico City.
Dodds said the championship also has a contingency date later in the following year that could potentially be used to move the Saudi Arabian race if Formula E and its partners ultimately determine that postponement is the appropriate solution.
This gives organisers additional flexibility.
Rather than treating the cancellation of the December event as necessarily permanent, Formula E could potentially reschedule the race for a later date, depending on the circumstances and the feasibility of fitting it into the championship calendar.
The availability of a contingency date provides another layer of protection for the season schedule.
Mexico City Could Start a New Chapter
If the Saudi Arabian opener is postponed, Mexico City would take on an even greater role in the championship.
The January 16 event is already an established part of the 2026–27 calendar. Under the contingency scenario, however, it would become more than simply the second scheduled race.
It would become the opening event of the new GEN4 era.
That could give the Mexico City E-Prix additional global attention as teams and drivers begin their first competitive campaign with the new cars.
For Formula E, it would also provide an opportunity to begin the season without having to make extensive changes to the existing calendar.
What Happens Next?
For now, Formula E’s immediate focus remains on monitoring the situation and preparing for the planned December races.
The championship has not announced a cancellation of the Jeddah E-Prix, and Dodds remains confident that the event can go ahead.
However, the existence of a clearly defined backup plan means Formula E is prepared to act if circumstances change.
The coming months will therefore be important as organisers evaluate the situation and approach the point at which teams must begin transporting cars and equipment.
If the Jeddah races proceed, the 2026–27 season will begin as originally planned on December 18 and 19, launching Formula E’s GEN4 era in Saudi Arabia.
If the races cannot take place, the championship will instead begin in Mexico City on January 16, using the next scheduled race as its season opener.
Formula E Keeps Options Open
The contingency plan demonstrates how Formula E is attempting to maintain flexibility while preparing for one of the most significant seasons in its history.
The introduction of GEN4 cars already makes the 2026–27 campaign particularly important. Adding uncertainty around the opening venue creates another challenge for organisers, teams and manufacturers.
Yet Formula E appears to have planned for that possibility.
With Jeddah still the preferred opening venue, Mexico City already positioned as the next race, and a potential later contingency date also available, the championship has several options if circumstances change.
For now, the message from Formula E remains one of confidence rather than alarm. The championship expects to race in Jeddah in December, while continuing to monitor developments and prepare Mexico City as a practical alternative if the situation requires a change.
The final decision will ultimately depend on how circumstances develop closer to the December event and when Formula E determines that a firm logistical decision must be made.
