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Formula 1 cancels the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix amidst escalating West Asia tensions, leaving a gap in the 2026 F1 calendar because of safety concerns.
Oscar Piastri steers his car during the qualifying session of the Chinese GP (Picture credit: AP)
The Formula One has officially announced a cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs as tensions continue across West Asia, which has brought travel in the region to a standstill. The management confirmed that both April races will not go ahead because of safety concerns.
The announcement was made early Sunday, March 15, in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese GP, leaving an unexpected gap in the packed Formula One calendar. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the decision was a tough one but maintained it was unavoidable.
Bahrain had been scheduled as the fourth GP this season to take place on April 10-12, with the Saudi race a week later.
“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,” Domenicali said.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, emphasised that the governing body had to place the safety of everyone involved in the championship above all else.
“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,” Ben Sulayem said.
Formula One confirmed that while multiple alternatives were considered as well, replacing the races scheduled for April proved impossible.
“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April. While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions would be made in April,” the statement said.
The Gulf has been battered by two weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks after the United States and Israel began their war on Iran.
Tiny Bahrain, located just across the Persian Gulf from Iran, has come under repeated attacks that have struck buildings, an oil refinery and the nation’s major United States Navy Fifth Fleet base.
March 15, 2026, 08:45 IST
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