F1 Reportedly Makes Decision on Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Grand Prix Amid Iran War

Formula 1 is expected to officially cancel the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East following the recent conflict involving Iran.

According to sources inside the Formula 1 paddock in Shanghai, reported by Crash.net, confirmation of the cancellations could arrive as early as this weekend.

The races have been under serious review since hostilities in the Gulf region erupted on February 28, after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered regional instability and disrupted air travel across parts of the Middle East.

F1 Monitoring Safety and Travel Risks

Formula 1 and the FIA have been closely tracking the situation while working alongside race organizers in Bahrain and Jeddah. However, with no signs of the conflict easing and ongoing concerns about travel logistics, officials appear ready to pull the plug on both events.

Safety has been the primary factor in the discussions, though the financial and logistical challenges tied to canceling a Formula 1 race are also significant.

Despite those complexities, it now appears that the 2026 F1 calendar will shrink to 22 races, with no replacement events planned for Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

That change would leave a four-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and the Miami Grand Prix.

Saudi Promoters Reportedly Pushed to Save the Race

Sources suggest that promoters in Saudi Arabia were eager to keep the Jeddah race on the schedule if conditions allowed.

However, continued instability in the region — along with limited air travel — forced F1 leadership to make a decision sooner rather than later.

Teams were facing massive logistical challenges, including the cancellation of thousands of flights and hotel bookings tied to the two race weekends.

One major deadline added urgency: Formula 1 freight was scheduled to leave Japan after the Suzuka race and travel directly to Bahrain before heading to Jeddah.

Instead, that equipment will now be redirected to the Miami Grand Prix, creating a major logistical reshuffle.

Massive Freight and Equipment Changes Underway

Moving F1’s cargo is a complex operation involving dozens of planes and shipping containers.

With the Bahrain and Saudi races expected to be canceled, organizers are now discussing whether freight will be sent directly to Florida or temporarily stored in a climate-controlled facility during the four-week break.

Teams may also choose to fly their race cars back to their European factories for maintenance before sending them to Miami — a move that would fall under the sport’s cost-cap regulations.

Junior Series Also Impacted

The cancellations could ripple through Formula 1’s feeder series as well.

Both Formula 2 and Formula 3 were scheduled to race in Bahrain, with F2 also set to compete in Jeddah.

Currently, their freight remains in Melbourne, and it’s unclear whether replacement races will be added to the calendar.

However, industry insiders believe additional rounds are likely, given the contractual commitments drivers and teams made when they paid for full championship seasons.

Teams Face Extra Logistical Headaches

The situation is further complicated by the fact that all F1 teams left sea freight in Bahrain following pre-season testing at Sakhir, where garages are still fully assembled.

Several organizations — including Pirelli, McLaren, and Mercedes — left even more equipment behind after remaining in Bahrain for a tyre test that was ultimately canceled when the conflict began.

Some sea freight containers are also already located in Jeddah, though those remain packed and may be easier to redirect elsewhere.

Because Formula 1 teams typically rotate multiple sets of shipping equipment around the world, they will now need to rework their freight schedules for upcoming races.

Unexpected Break Could Benefit Teams

While the cancellations create logistical headaches, they also give teams an unexpected advantage.

With a full month back at their European headquarters, engineers will have extra time to analyze data from the first three races of the season and focus on research and development.

Drivers will also be able to spend additional time in simulators preparing for the next stretch of races.

At the same time, teams will likely delay planned upgrades, with new components originally scheduled to debut in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia now expected to arrive at the Miami Grand Prix instead.

Rule Change Timeline Also Shifts

The loss of two races also alters the timeline for one of Formula 1’s upcoming technical rule changes.

A compression ratio test adjustment scheduled for June 1 in Monaco will now take effect after five races instead of seven, slightly changing the competitive landscape early in the 2026 season.