Formula One is expected to cancel the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The races, scheduled for April in Bahrain and Jeddah, are unlikely to be rescheduled according to sources familiar with the situation.
Multiple sources told Reuters that an official announcement from Formula One could arrive by Monday, with logistical deadlines approaching for teams preparing freight shipments to Bahrain ahead of the scheduled race weekend.
Logistical deadline accelerates decision
Teams face a March 20 deadline to transport equipment required for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The timing has accelerated discussions within the championship about whether the races can proceed safely.
With teams already competing this weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, the logistical planning for the Middle East rounds has become increasingly complicated.
Sky Sports, which holds Formula One broadcasting rights in the United Kingdom, reported that the races were expected to be formally called off before the weekend concluded.
The Bahrain Grand Prix had been scheduled for April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix planned for April 19 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Regional conflict raises safety concerns
The decision comes amid an escalating conflict in the region. United States and Israeli strikes on Iran have continued in recent days, while Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly targeted several Middle Eastern capitals.
Bahrain’s capital, Manama, where most Formula One team personnel typically stay during the race weekend, has also been affected by the wider regional tensions.
Safety considerations remain central to Formula One’s event planning, particularly when the championship travels across multiple continents with thousands of team staff, officials and broadcast personnel.
Championship calendar set for disruption
If both Middle East races are cancelled, April would become an empty month on the Formula One calendar.
The 2026 championship opened in Australia and continues this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix. The next scheduled round is the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.
Under the revised scenario currently discussed within the sport, the championship would resume after Japan only on May 3 at the Miami Grand Prix.
That change would reduce the planned season from 24 rounds to 22.
Sources within the paddock have indicated that neither Bahrain nor Saudi Arabia is expected to be replaced by alternative venues, largely due to the logistical complexity of organizing replacement races at short notice.
Teams awaiting official confirmation
Formula One and the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the sport’s governing body, had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting.
However, teams appear to be awaiting guidance from the sport’s leadership.
Audi Formula One team principal Jonathan Wheatley addressed the situation while speaking to reporters at the Shanghai circuit.
“I think we follow the guidance of the FIA and Formula One, as we always do,” Wheatley said.
“They’ve always led us in the right direction.”
He added that teams would ultimately prioritize safety over maintaining the original race schedule.
“Nobody’s going to compromise on anything that would put teams into an uncomfortable situation,” Wheatley said.
Wider motorsport events also affected
The disruption has already extended beyond Formula One.
The World Endurance Championship postponed its planned season-opening race in Qatar, which had been scheduled for March 26–28. The event will now take place at the Imola circuit in Italy on April 19.
The Qatar round at Lusail Circuit has been moved to October 24 and will now serve as the penultimate race of the WEC season before the championship finale in Bahrain on November 7.
MotoGP, which had planned a race in Qatar on April 12, is also expected to cancel that event as regional conditions continue to evolve.
For Formula One, confirmation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian cancellations would mark one of the most significant disruptions to the championship calendar in recent years.