BAHRAIN AND SAUDI ARABIAN GRAN PRIX OFFICIALLY CANCELLED

Cavalieri Garage Magazine
4 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Official confirmation has now arrived: the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place on their originally scheduled dates in April. The decision was announced through a statement published on the official website of Formula One, explaining that the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East has made it impossible to keep the two events on the calendar.

The cancellation does not only affect Formula One, but also all the support categories scheduled for those race weekends: the races of Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy will not take place either. Several alternative solutions were explored in an attempt to save the events, but none of the options considered proved viable under the current circumstances.

Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali explained that the decision was taken with great regret but in full awareness of the international context: a difficult but unavoidable decision given the situation in the region. Domenicali also thanked the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and the local promoters for their cooperation and understanding, noting the strong enthusiasm to host the events and reaffirming the intention to return as soon as conditions allow.

Echoing that position, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed that the safety of the motorsport community remains the federation’s absolute priority. After careful consideration, the FIA determined that this decision was necessary in order to protect drivers, teams, and all personnel involved in the championship. Ben Sulayem also expressed hope that stability will soon return to the region, emphasizing that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remain key venues within the structure of the season.

According to current indications, the calendar is unlikely to include replacement races. As a result, the 2026 Formula One season may ultimately be contested with two fewer Grands Prix than originally planned.

The championship is therefore expected to resume at the beginning of May with the back-to-back events of the Miami Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix, before entering the traditional and lengthy European phase of the championship.