Jeddah GP pulled this weekend
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that had been scheduled for April 17–19 was removed from the slot amid regional security concerns, with reports saying no immediate replacement race will fill the weekend. (boxthislap.org)(okdiario.com) Organizers and media coverage also note that a later reschedule in 2026 remains possible given commercial and logistical ties, including Aramco’s ongoing relationship with Formula 1. (cityam.com)
Formula 1 will not race in Jeddah this weekend after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was pulled from its April 17-19 slot over the security situation in the Middle East. (formula1.com) Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile said on March 14 that both the Bahrain Grand Prix, set for April 10-12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, set for April 17-19, would not take place in April. They also said no replacement races would be added this month. (formula1.com) The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's 2026 championship calendar now marks Bahrain on April 12 and Saudi Arabia on April 19 as "Called Off," with Miami next on May 3. That leaves a five-week gap between Suzuka on March 29 and the next race weekend in Florida. (fia.com) (pbs.org) When Formula 1 published the 2026 calendar in June 2025, Jeddah was supposed to be round five of a 24-race season. The April date was chosen because Ramadan fell across February and March in 2026, pushing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia later than usual. (fia.com) (formula1.com) Formula 1 said the April decision followed "careful evaluations" and was taken with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and the local promoters. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said safety and wellbeing came first, while Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the series wanted to return "as soon as circumstances allow." (formula1.com) (fia.com) Associated Press, via PBS, reported the races were dropped because of safety concerns tied to the Iran war, after strikes hit both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia during the wider conflict. The same report said Formula 1 had to decide weeks early because cargo flights, staff travel and ticket sales are locked in well before race week. (pbs.org) Saudi organizers did not break with Formula 1's line. Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, who chairs the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company, said the Kingdom respected the decision and remained in close partnership with Formula 1. (fia.com) A later Saudi date has not been announced, but Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile both stopped short of calling the race cancelled for the year. That wording has kept open the possibility of a reschedule on a calendar that still lists 24 rounds from Australia on March 8 to Abu Dhabi on December 6. (pbs.org) (formula1.com) Saudi Arabia also remains tied closely to the series through Aramco, which Formula 1 lists as a global partner and which describes itself as the sport's global energy partner. For now, though, the Jeddah weekend is gone, and the paddock's next confirmed stop is Miami on May 1-3. (formula1.com) (aramco.com) (fia.com)
