F1 faces Middle East uncertainty – Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races come under threat with news that Bahrain won’t be hosting a Grand Prix in 2026 due to the Iran war. Formula 1 could be heading for a major reshuffle of its early-season calendar, with security concerns linked to tensions involving Iran casting doubt over the scheduled Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. 13th MARCH UPDATE TO THIS ARTICLE BELOW
According to a Sky Sports report, discussions within the sport suggest that, if the races are cancelled, they will not be replaced by alternative venues. Losing two races would reduce the 2026 calendar from 24 to 22 rounds and leave a significant gap in the championship schedule.
Sources have also indicated that preparations for such a scenario are already quietly underway. This is a development of a previous message to TJ13 from sources close to the Bahrain GP organisers who were planning to move ahead with the race earlier this week.
Sky Sports Report: Replacement Races Unlikely
The first indication of a possible shake-up to the calendar came from Sky Sports’ reporting, which revealed that Formula 1 is not currently planning to replace the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix should they be cancelled for safety reasons.
Both events are currently scheduled back-to-back in April:
- Bahrain Grand Prix: 10–12 April
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – 17–19 April
However, rising geopolitical tensions in the region have placed both races under intense scrutiny. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both targeted during the attack by the US and Israel on Iran, and recent instability has brought security concerns to the forefront of planning discussions once again.
If the events were removed from the calendar, Formula 1 would face an unusual five-week gap between the Japanese and Miami rounds, which the championship rarely allows during a season.
TJ13 Source: Preparations Already Underway
Although the Formula 1 leadership has yet to make a public decision, March 20th being touted as the cut-off date, TJ13 has been contacted by a source involved in the Bahrain Grand Prix organisation who claims that contingency planning is already underway and the race is not expected to run.
According to the source, organisers in Bahrain are quietly preparing for the race not going ahead, and similar expectations are reportedly forming in Saudi Arabia. The source suggested that officials are monitoring developments closely and working on logistical scenarios should the event ultimately be cancelled. While no official cancellation preparations have been announced publicly, the internal tone appears extremely cautious.
“We are preparing for the loss of the race, and the consensus is here that Bahrain won’t be hosting the Grand Prix in 2026” the source indicated, adding that counterparts in Saudi Arabia are bracing for the same possibility.
Such behind-the-scenes planning would align with the broader uncertainty currently surrounding the region.
Replacement tracks discussed, but unlikely
In recent weeks, speculation has centred around potential replacement venues should the Middle Eastern races be removed from the calendar.
Two circuits were briefly discussed within the paddock:
- Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal
- Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.
Both tracks hosted Formula 1 events during the pandemic-affected seasons earlier in the decade, and they are still capable of staging races at short notice.
However, according to a report from Sky Sports, Formula 1 is not currently planning to activate replacement venues, meaning the championship could simply run with fewer races.
Meanwhile, venues such as the Nürburgring in Germany were never considered serious contenders for a late addition.
Domenicali urges caution
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, has urged patience as the situation continues to evolve.
“Our top priority is the safety of everyone involved, including the organisers,” Domenicali said. “We do not wish to make a statement today, as the situation is constantly changing and we still have time to make the right decision. This decision will be made jointly.”
Formula 1 has previously had to make difficult decisions in the face of geopolitical tensions, and the sport typically works closely with governments and promoters before taking action.
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Who actually cancels a race?
Former Formula 1 driver and German broadcaster for RTL, Christian Danner, recently explained the key factor that could ultimately decide the fate of the races.
“The only entity that can cancel a race is the promoter,” Danner told RTL, the German broadcaster.
“In the case of Bahrain and Jeddah, it would be the respective companies, which are directly subordinate to the government anyway. Therefore, we have to wait and see how the situation is assessed there.”
In other words, while Formula 1 can influence decisions, the final call will probably be made by the local organisers and authorities.
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Decision Expected Within Weeks
For now, the sport remains in a holding pattern. A final decision regarding the fate of the two races is expected by 20 March at the latest, leaving teams, broadcasters, and promoters waiting for clarity.
If both races are cancelled, the 2026 season will slow temporarily after the Japanese Grand Prix, then resume with the Miami Grand Prix in the United States.
Whether Formula 1 will ultimately race in the Middle East this spring remains uncertain, but preparations for every possible outcome appear to already be underway behind the scenes.
Update March 13th 2026: Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs Set for Cancellation This Weekend
Fresh reports from Crash.net suggest that Formula 1 is preparing to cancel both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with confirmation expected as soon as this weekend.
According to the outlet’s exclusive report, discussions within the paddock indicate that the escalating conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran has effectively forced the sport into taking decisive action. Sources in the Formula 1 paddock suggest teams are already preparing for the likelihood that the two April races will be removed from the calendar. (Crash.net)
The Bahrain round was scheduled for April 12 before the championship was due to move to Jeddah one week later. However, security concerns across the Gulf region have intensified following retaliatory missile and drone strikes linked to the widening regional conflict. Officials are understood to be assessing not only the safety of drivers and staff but also the practical challenges of transporting equipment and personnel into an increasingly unstable region. (Reuters)
One of the key factors reportedly accelerating the decision is logistics. Teams must soon begin dispatching freight for the Bahrain race weekend, and that deadline is approaching rapidly. Without clarity on security conditions, Formula 1 management and the FIA are under pressure to make a definitive call within days rather than weeks. (Reuters)
If the cancellations are confirmed, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar could shrink from its planned 24 races to just 22. Current indications suggest that the lost rounds are unlikely to be replaced by alternative venues due to the tight scheduling of the season and the strain that additional events would place on teams and personnel. (Sky Sports)
Such a move would leave a significant gap in the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May, potentially creating an unexpected development window for teams adjusting to the sport’s new technical regulations. (The Guardian)
For now, Formula 1 and the FIA have not issued an official confirmation. But according to multiple reports emerging from the paddock, the expectation among teams and insiders is that the decision to cancel both Middle Eastern races will be formally announced before the weekend concludes. (Crash.net)
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
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