F1 Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Races, Five-Week Gap Ahead
F1 Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Races, Five-Week Gap Ahead
Formula 1 cancels the Bahrain and Jeddah rounds for April amid Middle East tensions, creating a five-week lull before the Miami Grand Prix.
Formula 1 has cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi races scheduled for April, as the 2026 season braces for a five-week gap between the early Japan round and the Miami Grand Prix. The Bahrain Grand Prix (Sakhir) and the Jeddah race (Saudi Arabia) will not take place this year, with no substitutions planned for April. The decision keeps the calendar at 22 races for the season and avoids last-minute changes to European venues that would have required logistical juggling.
The cancellation comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, including Iranian missile attacks on regional locations and drone incidents that have injured people and heightened security concerns for sporting events in the region. The announcements note the safety and well-being of the F1 community as the top priority as the situation unfolds.
Officials explained that while replacing the two April rounds with European circuits was considered, logistical challenges at short notice made that option impractical. The calendar remains fixed for April, with the Miami Grand Prix still on May 3, and teams are urged to focus on safety and stability in the region before any potential return to those venues.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasised that the decision, though difficult, is appropriate given the current environment, thanking the FIA and promoters for their support and urging calm and stability. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed the sentiment, reaffirming a commitment to the safety of the racing community and expressing hope for a swift return to normalcy once conditions allow.
