War shadows Formula One: Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix cancelled

Formula One has cancelled its April races in the Middle East, calling off the scheduled Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, officials confirmed on Saturday. The races, originally planned for April 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit and April 19 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, were removed from the 2026 calendar after security concerns and logistical challenges made it impossible to guarantee the safety of teams, drivers, and fans. In a joint statement, Formula One Group and the sport’s governing body, Fédé

Formula One has cancelled its April races in the Middle East, calling off the scheduled Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, officials confirmed on Saturday. The races, originally planned for April 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit and April 19 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, were removed from the 2026 calendar after security concerns and logistical challenges made it impossible to guarantee the safety of teams, drivers, and fans. In a joint statement, Formula One Group and the sport’s governing body, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), said the decision followed consultations with regional authorities and race organizers. The governing bodies stressed that the safety of everyone involved in the championship remains the top priority. The cancellations come as conflict in the Middle East intensifies following military developments tied to Iran, raising fears of instability across the Gulf region. Travel disruptions, heightened security alerts and uncertainty around regional airspace also played a role in the decision. The two races have been regular fixtures in Formula One’s calendar in recent years. The Bahrain Grand Prix traditionally serves as one of the early races of the season, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held on the high-speed Jeddah street circuit, has quickly become one of the sport’s most dramatic night races. With the two rounds cancelled, the 2026 Formula One season will temporarily shrink, creating a longer break between the Japanese Grand Prix in late March and the Miami Grand Prix scheduled for early May in the United States. Formula One said it will continue monitoring the situation in the Middle East while focusing on maintaining the remaining races of the global championship calendar.