FORMULA 1 has officially confirmed that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place this April. The decision comes after intense evaluations regarding the ongoing situation in the Middle East, leaving a massive void in the 2026 calendar.
In a move that prioritizes safety over the spectacle, the FIA and Formula 1 management announced that no replacement races will be added to the April slot. The cancellation also extends to the Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 ACADEMY rounds, completely clearing the schedule for the month.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem issued a joint front on the decision:
Domenicali: “While this was a difficult decision, it is unfortunately the right one. We cannot wait to be back as soon as circumstances allow.”
Ben Sulayem: “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community first. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by recent events.”
Despite the significant sporting and financial impact, the race promoters in Sakhir and Jeddah have voiced their total support for the move:
Bahrain (Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa): Expressed gratitude for the F1 community’s support and looked forward to welcoming fans back in the future.
Saudi Arabia (HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal): Stated that while fans in the Kingdom were eager for the Jeddah street race, they fully respect the considerations behind the 2026 calendar shift.
With April now a “dark month” for the paddock, teams will have an unexpected break to refine their packages before the season resumes. The loss of two high-speed, high-stakes rounds in the desert shifts the momentum of the title race significantly, as the grid now looks toward the next scheduled stops to regain their footing.
“Safety first.” The message from the FIA is clear—racing takes a backseat when regional stability is at stake.
Credit Photo : F1
