Formula One is planning to cancel the upcoming Grand Prix events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The races were originally scheduled to take place in April as part of the 2026 season, with Bahrain’s race set for April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia’s race in Jeddah the following weekend.
The decision to cancel the races comes as both countries have been affected by the conflict involving Iran, the USA, and Israel. This will reduce the number of races in the season from 24 to 22. While both Formula One (F1) and the FIA have not officially commented on the situation yet, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated on social media that they are closely monitoring the developments and prioritizing safety and well-being in their decision-making process.
Ben Sulayem expressed the organization’s unity and shared purpose, emphasizing the importance of safety during these challenging times. He also expressed condolences for the lives lost and hoped for peace and stability in the affected communities.
With the cancellation of the races, there will be no Formula One action in April, leading to a five-week break for teams between the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Currently, F1 is in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, with George Russell set to start on pole position for Saturday’s Sprint race. Russell, driving for Mercedes, leads the early season driver standings with 25 points, followed by teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in second place.
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