US EditionFormula One: Bahrain, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Not to Be Replaced if Cancelled – Reports
- On March 6, 2026, multiple senior sources said Formula One is likely to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races, with no replacements, reducing the calendar to 22 rounds.
- FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali have emphasised safety first, citing Iranian missiles and drones targeting Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, with a hotel reportedly hit in Manama.
- Shifting the rounds to alternative tracks faces steep practical hurdles as short-notice relocations complicate ticket sales and organising marshals, security providers, and transport, while there are no obvious calendar slots preserving the August break in the Formula One calendar.
- If F2 rounds are cancelled without replacement, the second race would not occur until Monaco in June, and the WEC in Doha on March 26-28 has already been postponed.
- F1 officials say they still have time before a final decision, with Domenicali stating 'it will be taken together' as he is expected to meet F1 bosses on Saturday during the first full team gathering in Australia.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Due to the war in the Middle East, the holding of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April seems to be in jeopardy.
F1 likely to drop Bahrain, Saudi races amid Gulf conflict
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are unlikely to be replaced on what would become a 22-race Formula One calendar if, as now looks probable, they are cancelled due to conflict in the Middle East.
What F1 are planning with two Grands Prix if Middle East conflict forces them to cancel - The Mirror
Formula One will make a decision by March 20 on the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, with reports claiming the races will not be replaced if cancelled
F1 2026: Mercedes boss Wolff says Formula One ‘second priority’ amid Middle East crisis
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hopes Formula One’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can go ahead, but said the motor sport championship was not a top priority amid the conflict in the Middle East.
Mercedes boss Wolff says Formula One 'second priority' amid Middle East crisis
MELBOURNE, March 6 - Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hopes Formula One's races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can go ahead but said the motor sport championship was not top priority amid the conflict in the Middle East. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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