F1 Officially Cancels 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — Two Races Gone From Calendar
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed from Shanghai that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races have been cancelled for 2026 due to safety concerns from the escalating US-Iran war.
NowCastDaily Sports Desk | March 15, 2026 | Formula 1 | 5 min read
Formula 1 has officially cancelled both the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix and the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, making the announcement from Shanghai ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix. The decision, confirmed by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, was made on safety grounds due to the ongoing US-Iran military conflict engulfing the Middle East.
Both events were originally scheduled for April 2026 — just weeks away. The cancellation leaves a sudden gap in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship calendar that organizers must now scramble to fill.
Why Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Are at Risk
- Iran's retaliatory operations have already targeted Kuwait's Ali Al-Salem Air Base with missiles and drones
- Smoke was observed rising from a major UAE energy installation on March 14
- Multiple airlines have suspended or rerouted Gulf flights following regional safety advisories
- The Bahrain International Circuit is just 25 miles from the Saudi coastline across the Gulf
- The Jeddah Corniche Circuit sits on the Red Sea coast — a region of heightened naval tension
What Happens to the 2026 Championship?
The cancellation means the 2026 F1 season will lose at least two race weekends. Possible replacement venue candidates discussed in paddock circles include a return to a European circuit or additional races in the Americas. The sport has faced similar disruptions before — the 2011 Bahrain GP was cancelled during the Arab Spring — but this is the first time a live conflict has forced two consecutive calendar races to be removed in a single announcement.
F1's Broader Gulf Exposure
The cancellations raise questions about Formula 1's long-term relationship with Gulf-state sponsors and venues. Saudi Arabia signed a decade-long deal with F1 worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Bahrain has hosted the sport since 2004. Both relationships are now on hold indefinitely.
Sources: Formula 1 Official Website | News24 — F1 cancellation report
Keep up with all F1 2026 season developments right here on NowCastDaily.
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