The Formula One has cancelled the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for April due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing a major revision to the 2026 championship calendar.
The race weekend at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir was originally set for April 10–12, followed by the race on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah a week later. However, Formula One concluded after “careful evaluations” that it would not be safe to stage the events amid rising tensions in the region.
As a result, the 2026 season will now be reduced to 22 races, with a five-week gap emerging between the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in late March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, described the decision as difficult but necessary.
He said the move was taken considering the “current situation in the Middle East,” adding that the sport looks forward to returning to both venues when circumstances allow.
Security and Logistics Concerns
The decision was largely driven by the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which has led to security risks and disruptions to travel routes across the region.
The Bahraini capital Manama hosts a United States Navy base in the residential district of Juffair, where many Formula One personnel usually stay during race weekends.
Meanwhile, the race in Jeddah has previously faced security concerns, including a 2022 missile strike on a nearby oil facility claimed by the Houthi movement.
The conflict had already impacted the championship earlier this season when Middle East airspace closures disrupted travel plans for teams heading to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Replacement Races Considered
Formula One explored possible replacement venues, including the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, and Istanbul Park in Istanbul. A second race in Japan was also discussed.
However, the proposals were eventually dropped due to the difficulty of organising a race at short notice, including selling tickets, securing hosting fees and managing the workload of already stretched team personnel.
The cancellations are expected to cost Formula One well over £100 million in lost hosting fees, as both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay some of the largest race fees on the calendar. The revenue is normally shared between the sport and its 11 teams.
Despite the financial setback, the unexpected gap in the calendar could offer teams valuable time to regroup. The 2026 season began after the shortest off-season in F1 history following sweeping technical regulation changes.
The extra break will allow teams to analyse the opening races and refine their cars, while Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile may also review aspects of the new power-unit rules. The latest engines feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power, which has sparked debate within the paddock over its impact on driver influence.
Manufacturers such as Honda and Red Bull Powertrains, both facing early-season performance challenges, could also benefit from additional development opportunities under the sport’s engine equalisation rules.
For now, the cancellation of two high-profile Middle Eastern races marks a rare disruption to the Formula One calendar, leaving teams and organisers to adapt as the championship moves forward.
Source : BBC sports, F1
Discussion about this post