Bahrain & Saudi F1 Races Cancelled Amid Middle East Conflict

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix scheduled for April are set to be cancelled due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

While a formal announcement is yet to be made, F1 officials have indicated that cancellation is inevitable, as holding the races would put staff and personnel at serious risk. Freight for the events would need to be shipped in the coming days, but with no resolution in the US/Israel-Iran conflict, the safety of all involved cannot be guaranteed.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for 12 April, followed by the Saudi Arabian race in Jeddah the next weekend. No replacement events will be held, reducing the 2026 F1 season from 24 to 22 races. This decision will cost the sport over £100 million, as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are among the highest-paying hosts. Teams and the commercial rights holder will share the financial impact, each losing several million pounds in prize money.

F1 considered alternative venues such as Portimao (Portugal), Imola (Italy), and Istanbul Park (Turkey). However, organizers concluded that there was insufficient time to arrange a replacement race and secure a hosting fee.

The cancellation will result in a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March and the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May. Manama, the capital of Bahrain, has already been targeted by missiles, and Jeddah is also deemed too risky. Historical attacks, including a missile strike on a Jeddah oil facility by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels four years ago, underline the security concerns.

F1 officials emphasized that despite the reduced season, races will continue as planned after this break. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of personnel while maintaining the integrity of the championship.