Saudi GP Pulled From April

Formula 1 has pulled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix from their April slots, leaving the championship with no races this month. (formula1.com) Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile said on March 14 that both events would not go ahead in April because of the “ongoing situation in the Middle East.” The series also said it would not add replacement races to fill the gap. (formula1.com) (fia.com) That decision removed Bahrain, which had been scheduled for April 10-12, and Jeddah, which had been scheduled for April 17-19, from the spring run. The official Formula 1 calendar now jumps from Japan on March 27-29 to Miami on May 1-3. (fia.com) (formula1.com) The break lands in the first season under Formula 1’s new 2026 rules, when teams are still learning new cars, engines and fuel packages. Instead of racing, teams now have extra factory time before Miami and Canada on May 22-24. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Racing Bulls has already changed its development plan because of the stoppage. Motorsport.com reported the team had targeted an upgrade for Bahrain, then reset for two packages in Miami and Montreal after the April races were lost. (motorsport.com) The cancellations also cut into Formula 1’s support bill. Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile said the scheduled April rounds for Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy would not take place either. (formula1.com) (fia.com) Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had been moved to April in the first place because Ramadan falls across February and March in 2026. When Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile published the calendar last year, both races were part of a 24-round season. (formula1.com) (fia.com) With the April cancellations, the live calendar now lists 22 rounds, from Australia on March 6-8 to Abu Dhabi on December 4-6. Formula 1 has not announced a new date for Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Saudi officials have left the door open to a later race in Jeddah. The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation said it remained in “close partnership” with Formula 1, while a local report this week said Jeddah is being discussed for a possible late-season return. (fia.com) (factmagazines.com) For now, though, Formula 1’s April reset is real: no Bahrain, no Jeddah, and a five-week pause before the paddock reconvenes in Miami. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2)