F1 calendar hits turbulence
Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been canceled amid the Iran crisis, a move that could cost those venues an estimated $200M-plus in deferred revenue and leaves the 2026 calendar exposed to further changes. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka is now the next big date (March 27–29) and the FIA says no immediate rule tweaks will be made for that weekend. (skift.com) (motorsport.nextgen-auto.com) (news18.com)
The Bahrain round had been scheduled for April 10–12 in Sakhir and the Saudi Arabian race for April 17–19 in Jeddah before Formula 1 formally called both events off. (skysports.com) F1 confirmed it will not replace the two April dates, trimming the 2026 season from 24 to 22 rounds and removing the F2, F3 and F1 Academy rounds that were due to run on those same weekends. (skysports.com) A market note cited by industry coverage put the associated EBITDA impact at roughly $80 million, highlighting the cancellations’ immediate hit to F1’s operating profit for 2026. (gpfans.com) The FIA and F1 held a virtual meeting with team principals and, according to reports citing Auto, Motor und Sport, decided against rushing any technical or sporting-rule changes before Suzuka. (news18.com) Austrian paper Osterreich — picked up by motorsport outlets — warned that "nervousness in the paddock is growing" and that additional Grands Prix later in the season could be at risk if the Iran crisis continues to escalate. (motorsport.nextgen-auto.com) The cancellations create a five‑week gap on the revised calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix (March 27–29) and the Miami round (May 1–3), opening a notable scheduling hole for teams and broadcasters. (skysports.com) Promoters in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have said the events could be rescheduled later in the year rather than being permanently removed, a position Formula 1 has publicly acknowledged as contingent on regional stability. (sports.yahoo.com)
