Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Formula 1 Grands Prix Cancelled Due to Middle East Conflict
April races called off over safety concerns as regional war escalates, reducing 2026 season to 22 events
LONDON — March 13, 2026 — Formula 1 has cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for next month due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, reducing the 2026 season to 22 races and creating a five-week gap in the calendar, multiple sources confirmed on Friday .
The races, originally set for April 10-12 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir and April 17-19 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia, will not be replaced, according to reports from BBC Sport and Sky Sports . A formal announcement from Formula 1 and the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), is expected before the end of the weekend .
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The decision follows escalating hostilities in the region, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks against Iran. Both Gulf nations have been struck by Iranian retaliation amid the widening conflict, with the Bahraini capital Manama reportedly hit by missiles in recent days .
Safety Paramount as Logistics Deadline Approaches
With freight requiring shipment to the Middle East imminently and no sign of the conflict de-escalating, officials determined that holding the races would pose unacceptable risks to personnel, teams, and spectators .
“Safety is the paramount concern of Formula 1 and the FIA and the situation in the Middle East has not improved in recent days,” Sky Sports News reported, noting that both organisations have declined to comment pending a formal announcement .
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the situation on social media last week, stating: “We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly. Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there” .
Ben Sulayem expressed the FIA’s sympathy for those affected by the conflict, adding that the organisation is “deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted,” hoping for “calm, safety and a swift return to stability” .
Alternative Venues Considered but Ruled Out
Formula 1 explored potential replacement venues, including the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal; the Imola Circuit in Italy; and Istanbul Park in Turkey . However, officials concluded that insufficient time remained to organise races at any of these locations, and the likelihood of securing comparable hosting fees was minimal .
The cancellation means there will be no Formula 1 action throughout April, creating a five-week hiatus between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3 .
Significant Financial Impact
The decision carries substantial financial consequences for the sport. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are understood to pay two of the highest hosting fees on the calendar, and their cancellation will cost Formula 1 more than £100 million (approximately $129 million) .
These losses will be distributed across the sport’s ecosystem, affecting both the commercial rights holder, Formula One Management, and the ten teams, which share in the prize money distribution . Each party is expected to absorb losses in the tens of millions of pounds, depending on the prize fund allocation structure .
Regional Context and Security Concerns
The Gulf region hosts thousands of US military personnel, a factor that has heightened security concerns for major events . Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have found themselves drawn into the conflict that erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which Iranian officials report killed more than 1,300 people, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei .
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Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against Israel and US military bases throughout the region. The Bahraini capital has been among the locations targeted, while Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city and a key Red Sea port, has also been judged too risky to host a major international sporting event .
Team Perspectives
Racing Bulls chief executive Peter Bayer addressed the situation earlier this month during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. “What we said is, first of all, it’s still a month to go,” Bayer told reporters. “Secondly, it’s also difficult to talk about it because I’m really sorry for the people and the situation [in the Middle East]” .
Bayer expressed confidence in Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the FIA’s ability to make appropriate decisions. “I know Stefano and the FIA, they’re monitoring the situation. And I trust they make the right decision for us as a team” .
Revised Calendar and Future Middle East Races
The cancellation reduces the 2026 season from its originally planned 24 races to 22. Despite the loss of the April events, Formula 1 intends to return to the Middle East later in the year as scheduled. The Qatar Grand Prix remains on the calendar for November 27-29 at the Lusail International Circuit, followed by the traditional season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4-6 at the Yas Marina Circuit .
The revised calendar now features a condensed schedule following the five-week break. After the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3, the season continues with the Canadian Grand Prix on May 22-24, followed by the Monaco Grand Prix on June 5-7 .
Regional Tensions Reshape Sporting Calendar
The cancellation marks one of the most significant disruptions to the Formula 1 calendar in recent years and underscores how the expanding Middle East conflict is affecting international sporting events. The war has drawn in Iran-backed groups across the region, including the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has claimed multiple attacks on US forces, and Houthi forces in Yemen, which have targeted shipping in the Red Sea.
The decision follows similar disruptions across global sports, as organisers increasingly factor regional security conditions into event planning. For Formula 1, which has expanded its presence in the Middle East in recent years with lucrative races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, the cancellations represent both a commercial setback and a logistical challenge.
Current Situation
As of March 13, the season continues with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, where Mercedes driver George Russell secured pole position for Saturday’s sprint race. Russell currently leads the drivers’ championship with 25 points following his victory in Melbourne, while teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli sits second .
Formula 1 and the FIA have maintained their position of not commenting on the cancellations pending a formal announcement, which is anticipated before March 15 . The sport now faces a compressed schedule for the remainder of the season, with no replacement events planned to fill the April void.
For teams and personnel, the unexpected break offers additional preparation time for the new technical regulations that debuted this season, including revised power units, aerodynamic packages, and the elimination of DRS in favour of a new “Overtake Mode” . The extended gap between races may provide opportunities for development work as teams adapt to the most significant regulatory overhaul in a decade.
SOURCES / INPUTS
BBC Sport: Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Grands Prix to be cancelled
Sky Sports: F1 set to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to war in Middle East
The Mirror: F1 decide to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix due to war in Middle East
Agenzia Nova: Formula 1: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix cancelled due to Middle East conflict
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