Formula One has officially called off the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April 12 and April 19, 2026. The decision, announced by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, prioritizes the safety of the racing community following retaliatory drone and missile strikes launched by Iran against both nations. This escalation is part of the broader conflict involving the United States and Israel, which began in late February. Ben Sulayem emphasized that the FIA’s primary responsibility is the well-being of its staff and fans, noting that the decision was made after full consultation with local promoters and the Formula One Group.
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 creates a significant five-week gap in the racing calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. While the FIA explored several alternatives, it ultimately decided not to introduce substitute races for the April slot.
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Despite the current instability, F1 leadership remains hopeful that the season’s final Middle Eastern rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, set for late November and early December, will proceed as planned. Drivers have largely supported the move, with Lewis Hamilton expressing confidence in CEO Stefano Domenicali’s leadership during the crisis. For now, the sport moves forward with a truncated schedule while monitoring the security situation for its remaining international fixtures.
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