Formula One has officially cancelled the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April, citing the worsening security situation across the Middle East amid the ongoing war involving Iran.
In a statement released Sunday, March 15, Formula 1 confirmed that the races scheduled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not take place as planned following extensive safety evaluations.
Officials said that after assessing multiple alternatives, organisers decided not to replace the events on the April calendar.
The cancellations also affect support championships, including Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy, whose rounds were scheduled for the same race weekends.
Formula 1 leadership cites regional instability
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, said the decision was taken after careful consultation with motorsport authorities and local race promoters.
“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” Domenicali said.
He thanked promoters and regional partners for their cooperation and expressed hope that Formula 1 would return once conditions stabilize.
“We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so,” he added.
The decision was made jointly with the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the organization prioritized the safety of teams, drivers, and staff when making the decision.
“The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first,” Sulayem said.
He added that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remain important parts of the championship’s long-term calendar and that organizers hope to return once the situation improves.
Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit, said the circuit fully supports Formula 1’s decision.
“We look forward to welcoming fans from all around the world back to Bahrain when F1 returns,” he said.
In Saudi Arabia, Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, said the country respects the decision and remains committed to the championship.
Iran war affecting Gulf region
The cancellation comes as Iran continues missile and drone strikes across Gulf countries hosting U.S. military facilities.
Attacks launched this week have targeted the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait as part of Tehran’s response to the war involving the United States and Israel.
In the UAE’s Fujairah emirate, a fire broke out at a major oil bunkering hub after debris from an intercepted drone fell near the facility.
Oil-loading operations were temporarily suspended in the area, which serves as a key outlet for the UAE’s Murban crude exports.
The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of “moral bankruptcy” after Iranian accusations that U.S. attacks on the strategic Kharg Island originated from the Gulf state.
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In a post on X, Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s diplomatic adviser to the president, said the country has the right to defend itself but “continues to prioritise reason and logic, maintaining restraint and seeking an exit for Iran and the region”. He also said that Tehran’s policy is confused and has entrenched its isolation.
The U.S. said on Friday that it had attacked military installations on Kharg Island, a key oil hub that handles about 90 percent of Iran’s exports.
Elsewhere in the region, air defence systems intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched from Iran. Jordanian forces reported intercepting 79 missiles and drones out of 85 launched during the second week of the conflict.
Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting several ballistic missiles targeting the al-Kharj governorate, while Kuwait said drones struck areas near a military air base and damaged infrastructure at the country’s international airport radar system.
