Formula One is expected to cancel the upcoming Grand Prix events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict in the region. These races were originally planned for April as part of the 2026 season, with Bahrain scheduled for April 10-12 and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set to host the following weekend.
The decision to cancel both races comes in light of the conflict involving Iran, the USA, and Israel in the region. Sky Sports reports that the 2026 calendar will now be reduced from 24 races to 22 due to this development. While there has been no official statement yet from F1 and the FIA, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed on social media the importance of safety and well-being in assessing future events in the region.
Ben Sulayem also conveyed the FIA’s condolences for the lives lost and expressed solidarity with affected families and communities, emphasizing the need for stability and peace. Peter Bayer, the chief executive of Racing Bulls, acknowledged the situation in the Middle East and stated trust in the decision-making process of the FIA regarding the team’s participation.
With the cancellation of both races, April will see no F1 action, leading to a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Currently, F1 is in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, where George Russell is poised to start on pole for the Saturday Sprint. The Mercedes driver leads the early driver standings with 25 points, followed by teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in second place.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include additional streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, alongside 135 channels and complete coverage of Formula 1. Sky offers comprehensive broadcasting of all F1 events throughout the season, along with exclusive coverage of other sports leagues and events.