The Formula 1 Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may be canceled. A decision will be made
13 March 23:22
The Formula 1 Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for April, may be canceled due to the war inIran, according to media reports citing sources, as reported by [Komersant].
The decisive factor is the safety of the race participants. A decision is expected to be made within the next 48 hours by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem.
Sources told journalists that the decision will be announced next week. The races were scheduled to take place in Bahrain (April 10–12) and Jeddah (April 17–19). As a result, the season will be shortened to 22 races. Formula 1 stands to lose approximately $132.5 million, as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay some of the highest fees for hosting races—up to $70 million. Organizers considered moving the races to Portugal, Italy, or Turkey, but decided against it because there was too little time left before the races.
The decisive factor is the safety of the race participants. A decision is expected within the next 48 hours from Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for April 19. Teams are set to begin transporting cars and equipment to the region as early as mid-next week, so organizers have limited time to make a final decision.
It is noted that Bahrain pays Formula 1 approximately £40 million for the right to host the race, while the Saudis pay about £60 million, making the Jeddah round one of the most lucrative on the calendar alongside the Qatar Grand Prix.
If the fourth and fifth races of the 2026 season are officially canceled, there will be a break of over a month in the calendar. The third race in Japan will take place on March 29, followed by the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
As a reminder, the new Formula 1 season kicked off in Australia. The next race will take place in Shanghai on March 15.
The situation in the Middle East escalated in late February when a joint operation by the United States and Israel against the Iranian regime began. In response to the US and Israeli attack, Iran launched missiles at Israel itself, as well as Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Attacks on US military bases were reported.
