Vinay Kumar
After much consideration amid persisting tensions in the Middle East, the FIA has cancelled the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for April. The two races will not be replaced by any other venues in the 2026 F1 calendar. The Round 4 race in Bahrain was scheduled for April 10–12, while the Round 5 race in Saudi Arabia was scheduled for April 17–19. This confirms that the Japanese Grand Prix will be followed by a month-long break for the F1 teams. The decision came ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix final in Shanghai on Sunday.
F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix amid Middle East tensions
As the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix stand cancelled, the Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled weekends.Confirming the same, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement: “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East. I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding, as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as circumstances allow us to do so.”FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added, “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind. We continue to hope for calm, safety and a swift return to stability in the region, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events.”As if hinting at the possibility of rescheduling the two races later in the year, he further added: “Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. My sincere thanks to the promoters, our partners and our colleagues across the championship for the collaborative and constructive approach that has led to this decision.”
Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian GP bosses react to race cancellation
Reacting to the announcement, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit, said: “We fully support the decision by Formula 1, and we are grateful to them and to the FIA for their support and enduring partnership. We look forward to welcoming fans from all around the world back to Bahrain when F1 returns. On behalf of all of us at BIC, I take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to all those in the F1 community who have taken the time to send us messages of support.”HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Chairman of the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), also shared his response. He said in a statement: “The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation respects the decision taken by Formula 1 regarding the 2026 race calendar. Fans across the Kingdom were once again looking forward to the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah this April, but we understand the considerations behind this decision and remain in close partnership with Formula 1.”As a result, if the two races are not incorporated into the calendar later in the year, F1 drivers will have 22 races instead of 24 to compete in this season.Also read: Carmen Montero Mundt dons George Russell’s jacket at Sprint Qualifying, Alexandra Leclerc also turns heads in Shanghai
