The Formula One paddock is bracing for the expected cancellation of the 2026 Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian GP, with confirmation likely to be announced this weekend following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region.
According to sources in the Shanghai paddock during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, both races have remained in serious doubt since hostilities erupted on February 28 after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Since then, the governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and Formula One Management have been closely monitoring the situation alongside the race promoters and authorities in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
With regional security concerns and disrupted air travel, the sport is now expected to remove both races from the calendar.
Despite the cancellations, Formula One has no plans to replace either event, meaning the 2026 World Championship calendar will drop to 22 races.
This adjustment will create a four-week gap between the Japanese GP at Suzuka Circuit and the Miami Grand Prix.
While safety remains the primary concern, Formula One must also manage the complex commercial and logistical implications of cancelling major international events.
Sources suggest the organisers of the Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah were particularly eager to salvage the race if conditions allowed.
However, with no improvement in the regional situation and air travel still heavily affected, teams and stakeholders required an early decision to manage global logistics.
The cancellations have triggered a significant freight reshuffle across the Formula One paddock.
Cargo originally scheduled to depart Japan after the Suzuka race and travel to Bahrain GP and then the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will now be diverted directly to the United States for the Miami race.
Organisers are reportedly evaluating whether the freight will travel straight to Florida or temporarily stop at a climate-controlled facility before heading to the race venue.
Teams also have the option to send their race chassis back to European factories for servicing before shipping them to Miami, though doing so would fall under the sport’s cost-cap regulations.
The situation is further complicated by equipment already positioned in the Middle East.
Many teams left sea freight and garage setups at the Bahrain International Circuit after preseason testing earlier this year.
Meanwhile, tyre supplier Pirelli and teams including McLaren and Mercedes had remained in Bahrain for a tyre test that was cancelled when the conflict began, leaving additional equipment behind.
Some freight has also already been shipped to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, although much of it remains crated and could be redirected more easily.
Credit Photo : F1
