The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix will be canceled or postponed indefinitely due to the military conflict in the Middle East, Reuters reports.
The decision to cancel the stages has not yet been officially announced, but it is expected to be made public before the end of the second Grand Prix of the 2026 season in China due to the tight race schedule and logistical issues.
After the Chinese Grand Prix, Formula 1 will head to Japan, followed by rounds four and five in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on April 12 and 19, respectively. However, due to the military conflict in the Middle East, both Grands Prix are under threat of cancellation.
At the end of February, Israel, together with the US, attacked Iran Explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran, as well as in the cities of Qom, Khorramabad, Isfahan. , in response, Iran launched drones and ballistic missiles at American bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and a number of other countries. In particular, Iran attacked Bahraini Manama, where most of the staff and members of Formula 1 teams live in hotels. And the Sakhir circuit is only 32 km from the American base, which has already become a target for Iranian attacks.
As reported by the media, both races in the Middle East will not be replaced, but may be postponed indefinitely. However, it is expected that the season will be shortened to 22 Grands Prix. So after the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for March 29, the next race will be held on May 3 in Miami.
“I think we will follow the instructions of the FIA and Formula 1, as we always do. They have always guided us in the right direction. No one is going to compromise on something that will put the teams in an uncomfortable position,” said Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley during the Shanghai stage.
The World Endurance Championship (WEC) has already postponed the first round of the season, which was due to take place in Qatar from March 26 to 28, with the first race now scheduled for April 19 at the Italian Imola circuit.