Following Formula 1’s announcement to cancel two races scheduled for April, the promoters of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have reacted publicly. Both state they understand and support this decision made for security reasons.
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Formula 1 has confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April as initially planned in the 2026 F1 calendar.
These two events were to constitute the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2026 F1 season and represented the only races scheduled during that month. However, the security situation in the Middle East, marked by an escalation of conflict in the region, has pushed the sport’s leaders to take exceptional measures.
Faced with these circumstances, priority was given to the safety of the teams, drivers, and all personnel involved in the championship. Formula 1 also confirmed that no other race would replace these two events in the F1 calendar.
Bahrain supports F1’s decision
On the Bahrain side, officials from the Bahrain International Circuit reacted quickly to express their support for the sport’s decision.
Its chief executive, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, praised the collaboration between the various stakeholders.
“We fully support the decision taken by Formula 1 and we are grateful to them, as well as to the FIA, for their support and lasting partnership.”
The leader also wished to thank the Formula 1 community for the many messages of solidarity received after the announcement: “We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world back to Bahrain when Formula 1 returns.”
Saudi Arabia understands the reasons
A similar reaction came from Saudi Arabia, where race organization officials also made it known that they respected the decision taken by Formula 1.
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The president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, acknowledged that fans in the country were looking forward to the event scheduled in Jeddah.
“The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation respects the decision taken by Formula 1 regarding the 2026 calendar.”
He also emphasized that local authorities remained closely linked to the championship despite this cancellation.
“Fans in the Kingdom were looking forward to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah in April, but we understand the reasons for this decision and remain in close collaboration with Formula 1.”
A long break in the calendar
This decision will also have a direct impact on the course of the 2026 season. Without these two races, the championship will experience an unusual break. After the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled for late March, teams will have to wait several weeks before resuming competition.
The season will indeed only restart at the Miami Grand Prix, scheduled for early May. An interruption of about five weeks that will offer teams extra time to work on the development of their cars.
Even if this situation remains exceptional, the organizers concerned wished to reiterate their commitment to the championship and their desire to host Formula 1 again as soon as conditions allow.
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