Formula One and its governing body, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, announced that the Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not take place in April due to safety concerns linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.
Both nations have been affected by Iran’s retaliatory strikes following attacks by the United States and Israel. The decision was revealed early Sunday in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
F1 said the races would not go ahead next month given the situation in the Middle East, adding that while alternative options were explored, no replacement events would be scheduled for April. The Bahrain race had been set for April 12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on April 19.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali described the move as difficult but necessary under the circumstances. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that safety remains the top priority after careful evaluation.
Neither F1 nor the FIA confirmed whether the races would be rescheduled, avoiding terms like “cancelled” or “postponed,” though both stressed the importance of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to the season and expressed hope of returning when conditions improve.
Local race promoters backed the decision, but F1’s already tight calendar leaves little room for alternative dates. The change creates a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, potentially reducing the season to 22 races—the shortest since 2023.
The early call was partly due to logistical challenges, including the need to transport equipment weeks in advance and difficulties in organizing ticket sales or replacement venues at short notice.
Drivers also supported the move, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli expressing concern for those affected and stressing that safety must come first. Teams indicated they would follow guidance from F1 and the FIA.
Recent disruptions in the region, including airport shutdowns, have already affected team travel, while earlier testing plans in Bahrain were scaled back after the escalation.
This marks another instance of race disruption in recent years, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2023 due to deadly floods and the termination of the Russian Grand Prix contract after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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