Official: Iran war forces F1 Bahrain, Saudi Arabian GPs to be cancelled

Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The 2026 season’s fourth and fifth rounds were due to be staged on the weekends of 10-12 April and 17-19 April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

However, these rounds have been in doubt ever since war broke out with Iran following joint US-Israeli strikes on 28 February.

With travel chaos erupting across the region as other countries became consumed by the conflict, it has looked increasingly unlikely over the last two weeks that F1 would be able to stage its Bahrain and Saudi double-header.

On Friday at the Chinese Grand Prix, Crash.net revealed that those Middle East races would be officially cancelled this weekend.

That confirmation came early on Sunday morning in Shanghai.

These races will not be replaced, owing to the logistical difficulties involved in staging events at different circuits on short notice.

This means there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of this month and the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May.

While the calendar is now set to shrink from 24 rounds to 22, the wording of F1's statement on the matter has left the door open to a potential reschedule. 

"The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April," the statement read. 

"Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East the Grands Prix, alongside F2, F3, and F1 Academy rounds, will not take place as scheduled. 

"While alternatives were considered, no substitutions will be made in April."

How the Iran conflict has affected other motorsport events in the region

F1 is not the first major motorsport event to reschedule its calendar due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The FIA World Endurance Championship postponed its season-opening round in Qatar, as well as its pre-season Prologue at the same venue, which was due to take place at the end of March.

Its season will now start in April at Imola, while the Qatar event has been rescheduled to the end of the year as a back-to-back with its Bahrain finale.

MotoGP’s Qatar Grand Prix is also currently scheduled for the same weekend as Bahrain F1 was.

An announcement on its plans is expected in due course, with MotoGP Sports Entertainment (formerly Dorna Sports) boss Carmelo Ezpeleta already admitting a few weeks ago that the race was unlikely to go ahead.

Paddock rumours currently suggest MotoGP is evaluating options to stage the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of the season, though this would require a reshuffle of the current calendar. 

Full statements on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia cancellations from F1, the FIA and circuit chiefs

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “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.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind. We continue to hope for calm, safety and a swift return to stability in the region, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events.

“Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. My sincere thanks to the promoters, our partners, and our colleagues across the championship for the collaborative and constructive approach that has led to this decision.”

Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit said: “We fully support the decision by Formula 1, and we are grateful to them and to the FIA for their support and enduring partnership. We look forward to welcoming fans from all around the world back to Bahrain when F1 returns. On behalf of all of us at BIC, I take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to all those in the F1 community who have taken the time to send us messages of support.”

HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Chairman of the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), said: “The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation respect the decision taken by Formula 1 regarding the 2026 race calendar. Fans across the Kingdom were once again looking forward to the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah this April, but we understand the considerations behind this decision and remain in close partnership with Formula 1."