F1 calendar disruption
Both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been canceled amid Middle East tensions — the Japanese GP now serves as the last race before a five-week break. Saudi Arabia is reportedly offering alternative dates and heightened security as F1 scrambles the calendar. (uz.kursiv.media) (grandepremio.com)
Formula 1’s official 2026 calendar now shows 22 rounds after April’s events were removed, with the series saying no substitutions will be made in April. (formula1.com) The gap opens after the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka (March 27–29) and runs until the Miami weekend (May 1–3), producing a five‑week pause in racing action. (suzukacircuit.jp) F1 and the FIA said they considered alternatives but confirmed that the April rounds — and the associated Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy events — will not take place as scheduled. (formula1.com) German media reporting attributed to Sport Bild says Saudi organisers pressed to keep Jeddah on the calendar and offered a dedicated anti‑missile defence system and other security guarantees to F1 and the FIA. (de.motorsport.com) Broad coverage from motorsport outlets and continental press says the combination of a tightly packed global itinerary, logistics and seasonal weather windows makes finding later fallback dates for the two Gulf rounds unlikely. (auto-motor-und-sport.de) Promoters and teams now face a longer operational break after Suzuka while commercial, contractual and event‑delivery issues are reviewed; F1 says the decision was taken in full consultation with the FIA and the respective promoters. (motorsport.com)
