Formula 1 is poised to cancel the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, originally scheduled for April, as the escalating Middle East conflict raises serious safety and logistical concerns for teams, staff and spectators. Event organisers are expected to formally announce the cancellations soon, with freight deadlines looming and ongoing military strikes and retaliatory drones and missiles affecting the region—including areas where teams stay and operate—making it unfeasible to host major motorsport events. Sources familiar with the situation say neither event is likely to be replaced on this year’s calendar, which would reduce the season from 24 to just 22 races and leave a five‑week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami race on May 3. Team principals and officials have stressed that safety guidance from the FIA and Formula One management is driving the decision, with the priority on protecting personnel amid uncertainty over regional security. The cancellations reflect the wider impact of geopolitical tensions on global sporting calendars, following other disruptions such as the rescheduling of the World Endurance Championship’s Qatar round, and underline the challenges of staging international events when conflict and risk remain high in host regions.
