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F1 Cancels Bahrain & Saudi Races Amid Middle East Conflict, Loses $130M

Formula 1 has officially canceled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to security concerns and logistical constraints stemming from the escalating Middle East conflict. The decision creates a 35-day gap in the schedule between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix. The sport evaluated but ruled out replacement venues like Portimao and Imola due to short timelines and financial impracticalities. The cancellation is a major financial blow, costing F1 and its teams over $130 million in lost hosting fees.

Key Points: F1 Cancels Bahrain, Saudi GPs Over Conflict; 2026 Calendar Cut

  • Races canceled over security/logistics
  • 35-day gap in April calendar
  • Over $130M in lost revenue
  • Replacement venues deemed impractical
  • 2026 season reduced to 22 races
2 min read

Formula 1: Bahrain, Saudi Arabian Grands Prix canceled

Formula 1 cancels Bahrain & Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to regional conflict, creating a 35-day gap and over $130M in lost revenue.

"The cancellation is expected to cost Formula 1 and its teams well over 130 million U.S. dollars in lost revenue. - Xinhua"

Shanghai, March 15

Formula 1 has canceled next month's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix because of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, leaving the 2026 season with a reduced 22-race calendar and a lengthy spring break.

The sport confirmed Sunday that the races in Sakhir on April 12 and Jeddah on April 19 will not take place because of security concerns and logistical constraints linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.

The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, triggering a wider regional conflict that has disrupted travel and raised security risks, reported Xinhua.

Several countries in the region closed their airspace in the aftermath of the strikes.

Formula 1 and the FIA, the sport's governing body, had been monitoring the situation closely but faced mounting pressure to make a final call as freight deadlines approached. Teams would have needed to ship equipment to the Middle East in the coming days for the races to go ahead.

The cancellation leaves a 35-day gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, meaning there will be no F1 racing in April.

Formula 1 evaluated several potential replacement venues, including Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Istanbul Park in Türkiye, all of which staged replacement races during the Covid-disrupted 2020 season.

However, the short timeframe to organize an event and the difficulty of securing hosting fees meant the options were deemed impractical. With the championship already scheduled for 24 rounds, there was also limited incentive to add replacement races at short notice.

The loss of the two Middle Eastern races will also have financial implications. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay among the highest hosting fees on the calendar, and the cancellation is expected to cost Formula 1 and its teams well over 130 million U.S. dollars in lost revenue.

Teams receive a share of the sport's commercial income, meaning the financial impact will be spread across the grid.

With the Bahrain and Saudi races removed, the championship will resume in Miami after the extended break following Japan, with the remainder of the season expected to proceed as scheduled.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
A 35-day gap! As a fan, that's so disappointing. April will feel empty without any races. They should have tried harder for a replacement in Europe. Imola or Portimão would have been fantastic.
V
Vikram M
The financial loss is staggering - over $130 million! This will definitely trickle down and affect team budgets for development. Tough year ahead for the smaller teams especially.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the security concerns, it's a shame. These night races in Bahrain and Jeddah are visually spectacular and often produce great racing. The season feels incomplete without them.
K
Karthik V
This is the real-world impact of conflict. It's not just headlines; it affects global sports, logistics, and economies. A sobering reminder. On a lighter note, maybe the drivers get a nice long break at home!
P
Priya S
Respectfully, F1's dependence on these huge hosting fees from certain regions is a bit worrying. The sport's calendar seems driven more by money than by racing heritage sometimes. Just my two paise.
D
David E
The logistical nightmare of moving an entire F1 circus is unreal. With airspace closed and tight deadlines, there was really no other choice. Better to cancel than to have a half

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