Formula One is expected to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix as the escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to destabilize the region. The decision is likely to reduce the 2026 calendar to 22 races.
The two races, scheduled to take place in April, were to form the fourth and fifth rounds of the championship. The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for April 10-12, before the sport was scheduled to travel to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 17-19.
However, both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are among several Gulf states that have been targeted by Iranian attacks in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli military operations in the region. The deteriorating security situation has caused serious concern among international sports federations, airlines and logistics companies, and Formula 1 is now expected to officially cancel both events.
Sources suggest the announcement could come before the end of the weekend as the sport assesses the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Safety remains the top priority for both Formula 1 and the motorsport governing body Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). With tensions rising across the Gulf region and no clear signs of de-escalation, championship organizers are believed to have concluded that hosting races in the region in April would pose unacceptable risks.
Daily Sparkz, which is currently in China with Formula One team Aston Martin Aramco ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai, believes the races will be removed from the calendar entirely rather than postponed.
If confirmed, the cancellations will leave a significant gap in the preseason schedule. After the Japanese Grand Prix, which takes place from March 27th to 29th and is considered the third round of the championship, Formula 1 will not return to action until the Miami Grand Prix from May 1st to 3rd.
That would create an unusual five-week break in the racing calendar in April, a period that normally sees several grands prix take place as the season gains momentum.
While Formula 1 has occasionally rearranged or replaced canceled races in recent seasons, sources suggest the already packed calendar from March to December makes it unlikely that replacement venues will be found in the short term. As a result, the 2026 championship is expected to run over 22 race weekends instead of the originally planned 24.
The Middle East has emerged as a key region for Formula 1 over the last two decades, with races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi forming an important part of the championship’s global expansion strategy.
Bahrain was first added to the calendar in 2004 and has traditionally hosted the opening race of the season, while the high-speed Jeddah road circuit made its debut in 2021 as part of the sport’s growing presence in the Gulf region.
Both races have become major sporting and commercial events, attracting large international audiences and requiring significant investment from host governments.
However, the current conflict has already begun to disrupt global transportation networks, energy markets and commercial shipping routes across the region, raising broader concerns about the viability of large international events.
Teams, logistics partners and broadcasters also face complex operational challenges when transporting equipment and personnel through a region experiencing increased military activity.
The situation is being closely monitored by Formula 1 management, the FIA ​​and race organizers, who are expected to issue a formal confirmation once final discussions have concluded.
In the meantime, attention remains focused on the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai, where Mercedes driver George Russell looks to build on his opening victory and extend his early lead in the championship standings.
With the season potentially losing two races, the battle for points could become even more intense as drivers and teams compete on a shorter calendar, which is already proving highly unpredictable in Formula 1.
