Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, both scheduled for April, will not take place this year as escalating tensions in the Middle East force the championship to rethink part of its calendar.
The decision, announced on Saturday, had been widely expected across the motorsport world as security concerns in the region continued to grow.
In a joint statement issued by Formula 1, the FIA, and local race promoters, organizers confirmed that the two races will not be replaced by alternative events during the same period. That means the 2026 Formula 1 season will now feature 22 races instead of the originally planned 24.
The cancellations will also affect support championships. The regional rounds of Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy were all scheduled to take place alongside the Grands Prix and have now been called off as well.
Escalating Tensions Force the Decision
The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally set to host the fourth round of the season at the Sakhir Circuit on April 12, with the championship then moving directly to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia just one week later.
However, rising military tensions involving Iran — including drone and missile activity targeting several countries in the region — have raised serious concerns about the safety of hosting such large international events.
Security warnings reportedly extended to Manama, where Formula 1 teams and personnel were expected to stay during the race weekend.
Miami Becomes the Next Stop
With the Middle East rounds removed from the schedule, the Miami Grand Prix will now become the next race on the calendar after the Japanese round, with the event scheduled for May 3.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged that the decision was far from easy, but emphasized that under the current circumstances it was the most responsible course of action.
The FIA also revealed that relocating the races to alternative circuits was briefly considered, but ultimately the championship chose to cancel them entirely rather than attempt a last-minute reshuffle.
Safety Remains the Priority
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed that the governing body’s first priority will always be the safety and well-being of everyone involved in motorsport.
He explained that the decision followed careful consultations with Formula 1 management, local organizers, and FIA representatives, alongside a detailed evaluation of the evolving situation in the region.
At the same time, he expressed hope that stability will soon return, allowing Formula 1 to once again race in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, both of which have become important stops on the championship calendar in recent years.
Meanwhile, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal confirmed that the Kingdom respects the decision taken by Formula 1 and the FIA. He also noted that Saudi Arabia had been fully prepared to host the race, highlighting the success of previous editions of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
