Formula 1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix amid Middle East tensions; season cut to 22 races

In a move that has reshaped the 2026 racing season, Formula 1 and the FIA officially announced on Sunday, March 15, 2026, that the upcoming Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not take place this April. The decision, made in the early hours ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, responds to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. While the sport prides itself on "The Show Must Go On" mentality, the safety of the 10 teams, thousands of staff, and millions of fans has taken absolute precedence over the checkered flag.

Middle East conflict forces F1 to cancel Grands Prix

The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled for April 12 at the Sakhir circuit, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on April 19, both are traditionally held as night races under floodlights.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the organisation had to prioritise the wellbeing of everyone involved in the championship, emphasising that safety remained the top priority.The announcement came ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai, ending weeks of speculation over whether the races could still go ahead amid growing instability in the region.

Why Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled?

The cancellations are directly linked to the widening conflict involving Iran and military actions by the United States and Israel, which have triggered retaliatory strikes across parts of the Middle East.

Security risks and regional instability made it impossible for Formula 1 to guarantee the safe staging of the events.Logistical challenges also played a major role. Formula 1 races require massive freight shipments of cars, equipment and broadcast gear weeks in advance. With airports disrupted and security concerns rising, transporting the necessary cargo to the region became increasingly difficult.Officials also considered possible replacement venues for April but ultimately decided that reorganising the calendar at such short notice was not feasible.

Impact on the 2026 F1 season schedule

With both Middle Eastern races removed, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar shrinks from 24 races to 22.The decision also leaves a rare five-week gap in the schedule:

This unexpected break could give teams extra time to upgrade their cars, particularly important in 2026 because the sport introduced significant technical regulation changes. Other support series events scheduled alongside the races—including Formula 2, Formula 3 and the F1 Academy—have also been cancelled for those rounds.

What happens to fans who bought F1 tickets?

Formula 1 organisers have said fans who purchased tickets in advance for the cancelled races will be contacted directly by event organisers regarding refunds and further options. Both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix had already begun ticket sales months earlier, with many international fans planning trips around the April race weekends. Local race promoters are expected to provide full refunds or possible ticket transfer options depending on the policies set by organisers and ticketing platforms.

Fans are advised to monitor official communications from race organisers and the official channels of Formula 1 for updates. Travel plans such as hotels and flights booked independently may need to be managed directly with airlines and accommodation providers.

What F1 said about future races?

Formula 1 leadership stressed that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remain crucial partners for the sport and expressed hope that racing will return to both venues once conditions stabilise.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the decision was difficult but unavoidable given the current situation in the region. Officials also thanked local organisers for their cooperation and understanding.While the races will not take place in April, the FIA has not entirely ruled out the possibility of future editions once the geopolitical situation improves.