F1 Calendar 2025: All the races, Middle East uncertainty, and the latest merchandise

The Formula 1 world is about to pop off again. While we're still soaking in an incredible season, everyone's already starting to sneak a peek at the F1 calendar 2025. But that calendar is far from set in stone. The races in the Middle East, in particular, are giving everyone a headache. I can hear you thinking: Max Verstappen not in action at all in April? It very well could happen.

The rumor mill is churning at full speed. Toto Wolff seemed a bit distracted last week, to be honest. The good news? He hinted that his team has left the region safely. Where? That's anyone's guess, but all eyes are on Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Those two races are scheduled for early 2025, but the situation there is tense. F1 needs to make a decision fast, otherwise, there's a massive gap threatening to open up in the calendar.

Gasly trusts the decision-makers

Pierre Gasly, for one, isn't too worried. The Frenchman is confident the F1 bosses will make the right call for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. "There's a lot at stake," he said this week. And he's not wrong. Not just for the teams and drivers, but for us fans too. Imagine: Max Verstappen potentially watching from the sidelines in April. A nightmare for any Dutch F1 fanatic.

Still, the F1 calendar 2025 is slowly but surely taking shape. The first designs are starting to pop up, not just digitally, but on wood too. More and more enthusiasts are getting themselves a nice wooden F1 calendar. Take, for instance, the LBM F1 Kalender 2023 - Hout - 40 * 30 cm that was hanging in many living rooms last year. This year, we're also seeing cool variants like the Hip met Pit Creaties Houten Onderzetters Formule 1 6 Stuks 10x10cm – perfect for a race night in with friends. And for the serious planners: images of a 2026 F1 Calendar on wood are even circulating already, though that seems a bit like future talk for now.

What else can we expect?

Besides the uncertainty in the Middle East, there are plenty of fixed fixtures. Zandvoort, of course, remains on the calendar, and classics like Monza and Silverstone are also locked in. But the big question remains: will we be going to Bahrain in April or not? Until then, we can only speculate and get our F1-themed tapas board ready for the first GP.

To keep things clear, here are the main issues at a glance:

• Middle East uncertainty: Do Bahrain and Saudi Arabia need to be rescheduled or cancelled? F1 needs to decide fast.
• Max Verstappen: If the races don't go ahead, the world champion will be idle in April. A big loss for the sport.
• New merchandise: Wooden calendars, coasters, and F1-themed tapas boards are hotter than ever.
• Look ahead to 2026: The first F1 Calendar 2026 items are already surfacing, but for now, we're focusing on 2025.

In short, we're in a waiting game. The F1 calendar is always a hot topic, but this year the tension has really been turned up a notch. Hold on tight, because 2025 is going to be a rollercoaster regardless. And whether Max races in April or not – we're ready for it, with a cold beer and a wooden coaster underneath.