Formula One has cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, citing safety concerns for teams, staff, and the wider motorsport community.
The races were originally scheduled for April 12 in Bahrain and April 19 in Saudi Arabia, but organisers reached a point where they had to decide whether to prevent further freight and equipment from being sent to the region.
In a statement, Formula One said that the current regional situation left it with no option but to cancel the events after careful evaluation. The organisation confirmed that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix would not take place in April. Although several alternatives were explored, it was ultimately decided that no replacement races would be scheduled during that month.
An update from Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1
Following the news that we will not be racing in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia in April#F1 pic.twitter.com/ELoRwxwRpj
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2026
The cancellation also affects support series events, meaning scheduled rounds of Formula 2, Formula 3, and the F1 Academy will not take place as planned. The decision was made in consultation with the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the respective race promoters.
Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali acknowledged that cancelling the races was a difficult choice but said it was the right decision given the current circumstances in the Middle East.
Domenicali thanked the FIA and the race promoters for their understanding and support, noting that they had been looking forward to hosting the championship with enthusiasm. Domenicali added that Formula One hopes to return to the venues once conditions allow.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed that the governing body prioritises the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the sport. The FIA President stated that the decision was taken after careful consideration and with a strong sense of responsibility towards the motorsport community.
Security concerns have been heightened partly because the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir is located about 20 miles (32 kilometres) from a United States military base that has already been targeted in attacks attributed to Iran.
Some team freight is already stuck in Bahrain following pre-season testing and has been unable to move, leaving little appetite among teams to dispatch further equipment that could become similarly stranded.
Following the cancellations, the 2026 Formula One season is now expected to consist of 22 races. There will be a five-week gap between the third round in Japan on March 29 and the next scheduled event.
The Miami Grand Prix in the United States on May 3. Teams are expected to use the extended break to work on car development as they continue adapting to the sport’s new technical regulations.
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