Formula One and its governing body, the FIA, have officially cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for April 12 and April 19 due to escalating safety risks from the ongoing war. The announcement was made early Sunday morning in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” Formula 1 stated.
“While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions would be made in April.”
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said, "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.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added, "The FIA will always place the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”
Both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have been targeted in Iran’s retaliatory attacks following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. The cancellations create a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the next scheduled race, the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Without rescheduling, the 2026 season would be reduced to the shortest calendar since 2023.
Ben Sulayem noted, "These two circuits are immensely important to the ecosystem of our season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow.”
This is the first time since 2023 — when the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was cancelled due to deadly floods in Italy—that a scheduled F1 race has been called off.
Follow us
