Official: F1 races Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scrapped

Safety above all

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prizes were scheduled for April 12 and 19, but the escalating situation in the Middle East is throwing a spanner in the works. Iran has attacked both countries in recent weeks in retaliation for American and Israeli airstrikes. Under these circumstances, the FIA simply cannot ensure the safety of teams, drivers and fans.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem left no doubt: “The FIA always puts the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first.” Alternative circuits were considered to fill the empty spots, but in the end it was decided to leave April free.

Five-week gap in calendar

The elimination of both races creates a remarkably large gap in the already overcrowded Formula One season. After the Japan Grand Prix on March 29, the wait is until May 3, when the Miami GP is scheduled. That’s five weeks without action – an eternity in modern Formula One.

Although neither organization explicitly mentions it, it seems highly unlikely that the races will be made up later this year. The calendar is already packed and logistically it is almost impossible to schedule two additional race weekends at short notice. As a result, the 2026 season will have 22 instead of 24 Grands Prix.

Championship implications.

For Max Verstappen and the other title contenders, it means fewer chances to score points. Verstappen, who crashed out in China with an engine problem, may be able to use the extra free weeks to tinker with the car with Red Bull Racing. The Dutchman looked decidedly unhappy with his package after recent qualifying sessions.

At the same time, the break offers young talents such as Kimi Antonelli – who just won the GP of China, becoming the second youngest ever F1 race winner – the opportunity to maintain momentum through simulator work and preparation.

More frequent geopolitics on F1 calendar

This is not the first time geopolitical tensions have affected the Formula One calendar. In 2011, the Bahrain GP was already dropped once due to the Arab Spring, and the Russia GP disappeared permanently from the calendar in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It just goes to show that the ambition to race globally inevitably clashes with geopolitical realities.

Whether Bahrain and Saudi Arabia return to the calendar in 2027 depends entirely on how the situation in the Middle East develops. Until then, we’ll have to make do with 22 races. That, by the way, is still more than enough spectacle for an entire season.