F1 Cancels Bahrain & Saudi

Formula 1 has scrapped its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia after what it called “careful evaluations” of security conditions in the Middle East. (formula1.com) The canceled rounds were the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for April 12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, scheduled for April 19. Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile said on March 14 that no replacement races would be added in April. (formula1.com) (fia.com) That decision also wiped out the support series on those weekends, including Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy. The sport’s governing bodies said the call was made with local promoters and regional member clubs. (fia.com) The immediate effect is a five-week gap in the championship calendar after the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29. Formula 1’s official schedule now lists Miami on May 1-3 as the next round. (espn.com) (formula1.com) The 2026 season was originally set for 24 races, and the removal of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cuts it to 22. Motorsport.com reported the calendar change the day the cancellation was confirmed, and Formula 1’s live schedule now runs from Australia in March to Abu Dhabi in December with 22 listed rounds. (motorsport.com) (formula1.com) Formula 1 said it examined alternatives before deciding not to substitute other venues into the empty April slots. ESPN reported that freight deadlines and the sport’s global shipping timetable left little room to reorganize two grands prix at short notice. (formula1.com) (espn.com) Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali said the series wanted to return “as soon as the circumstances allow.” Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said safety and wellbeing came first in the decision. (formula1.com) (fia.com) Officials in both host countries backed the move rather than challenge it. Bahrain International Circuit Chief Executive Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation chairman Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal both said they respected the decision and expected to host Formula 1 again when conditions permit. (formula1.com) (fia.com) So the 2026 season pauses after three races, then restarts in South Florida at the Miami Dolphins’ stadium complex on May 3. For now, the empty April dates stand as the clearest sign of how quickly regional instability can redraw a Formula 1 calendar. (espn.com) (formula1.com)