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Bahrain and Saudi Arabia F1 Races Set to Be Cancelled as Middle East War Disrupts Global Sports

The Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are set to be cancelled due to the escalating Middle East conflict, with Iranian drones and missiles hitting Manama. The WEC Qatar round has already been moved to October.

Introduction

The Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are set to be cancelled as the escalating Middle East conflict makes hosting international sporting events in the Gulf untenable. Multiple sources told Reuters that an official announcement is expected by Monday, with a March 20 deadline for freight transport to Bahrain serving as the practical cutoff. The cancellation would leave April as an empty month on the 2026 F1 calendar and reduce the championship to 22 rounds.

The Logistics Problem

The Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for April 12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, set for April 19, were to be held on consecutive weekends. However, the conflict has made logistics impossible — freight needs to be shipped to Bahrain well in advance, and the March 20 deadline is days away with no resolution in sight.

Iranian drones and missiles have struck several Middle Eastern capitals, including Manama, Bahrain — where most F1 team personnel would be staying during the races. The security risks make it impossible for teams and organizers to proceed.

Sky Sports, which holds F1 broadcasting rights in Britain where most teams are based, reported that the races would be called off by Sunday night.

Impact on the 2026 Calendar

The cancellations would leave the F1 calendar with significant gaps:

  • March 29: Japanese Grand Prix (Round 3)
  • April: Empty (no races)
  • May 3: Miami Grand Prix (next race after Japan)

Sources indicate neither race is likely to be replaced or rescheduled, meaning the 2026 season would be reduced from its planned 24 rounds to 22.

Ripple Effects Across Motorsport

The Formula 1 cancellations are part of a broader disruption to motorsport in the region:

  • WEC (World Endurance Championship): The Qatar round, originally scheduled for March 26-28 as the season opener, has been postponed. The race will now be held at Italy’s Imola circuit on April 19, with the Qatar round rescheduled to October 24.
  • MotoGP: Due to race in Qatar on April 12, that round is also likely to be cancelled.

Reactions from the Sport

Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley, speaking at the Shanghai circuit where F1 is racing this weekend, deferred to the sport’s governing bodies:

“I think we follow the guidance of the FIA and Formula One, as we always do. They’ve always led us in the right direction. Nobody’s going to compromise on anything that would put teams into an uncomfortable situation.”

There was no immediate comment from Formula One or the FIA.

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ambitions

The cancellations deal a blow to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious sports strategy. The Kingdom has invested billions in hosting F1, football, golf, boxing, and other international events as part of Vision 2030. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which hosted its first F1 race in 2021, has been a centerpiece of this strategy.

The disruption extends beyond F1 — the region’s ability to host international events depends on security conditions that are rapidly deteriorating as the conflict continues.

Sources