As was much expected, the FIA finally confirmed the cancelation of the F1 races schedules for April to be held in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The unexpected war in Iran has thrown the Fomrula One 2026 calendar into disarray. There were hopes that the races could be replaced in Istanbul and Portimao but it appears the political will was not there to upset F1’s two Middle East partners who between them pay in the region of 10% of the entire hosting annual fees received by Formula One Management (FOM).
It was inevitable that the Bahrain Grand Prix would be cancelled given it is just over three weeks away and with president Trump and his Israeli ally suggesting the war would be at least 4-6 weeks in length. The close proximity of the Gulf Kingdom just over 400km from the closest point to Iran was just too big a risk to take.
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Bahrain and Saudi very different considerations
Yet there were hopes in Saudi Arabia that their Grand Prix would be retained in its April slot. Jeddah is not on the Persian gulf, but sits bed the red sea and is around 2000km from the closest point to Iran, well beyond the reach of the feared Shahed drones which Iran is launching en masse.
Further it is out of range of the Islamic State’s new hypersonic missiles, the Fattah-1 and Fattah-2 which travel just 1500km. Jeddah is in range of both Iran’s medium range ballistic missiles (2500km) and their cruise missiles the Soumar, Hoveyzeh, Paveh and KH-55 whose range are up to 3000km.
Since the start of the war, the number of missiles fired by Iran has fallen by around 90% according to US defence briefings and further these have been primarily targeted at Israel and the UAE. So could the F1 race weekend in Jeddah have been saved? Probably, and it was not for the lack of trying that Saudi diplomacy was ramped up in an effort to ensure their Grand Prix went ahead.
Back in 2022, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was not cancelled despite a missile attack by the Yemen’s Houthi’s on a Aramco oil depot not far from the circuit. The drivers were practising on track when the attack was made and a subsequent four hour emergency meeting was called where they were persuaded it was in fact safe to continue with the weekend.
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FIA/FOM coded statements about Bahrain/Saudi cancelations
It is likely that the proximity of the Iran backed Houthi missiles were again of a concern to FOM and the FIA which means both gulf state Grand Prix have been cancelled. Stefano Domenicali who is the CEO of FOM – who are set lose lose a significant amount of revenue – said in Shanghai: “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East.”
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”
Simultaneously, the FIA released a statement which read: “A statement from F1 read: “It has been confirmed today that, after careful evaluations, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April.
“While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April. The FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled times. The decision has been taken in full consultation with Formula One Group, local promoters and our Member Clubs in the region.”
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Legal obligations and fees heated debates
Of course behind the scenes feverish negotiations have been taking place over the hosting fees. FOM believed the fees were payable regardless of whether the Grand Prix took place or not, with the tricky matter of ‘force majeure’ front and centre.
To avoid paying the fee, the Suadi’s would have needed to argue events which occurred were outside of their control – force majeure – had intervened. This is a contractual clause and legal concept excusing parties from fulfilling obligations due to unforeseeable, uncontrollable events like natural disasters, wars, or pandemics. It acts as a safety valve, protecting parties from liability when performance becomes impossible due to events outside their control.
The key word here is “impossible” and given the Saudi’s argued that the race could in fact go ahead, to persist with this claim would nullify their force majeure position. Equally, FOM and the FIA could not unilaterally cancel the Grand Prix event and demand payment, when the position of the Saudi’s was that they were happy to offer safety guarantees. The stalemate in the end resulted in the carefully worded statements issued by FOM and the FIA.
“…the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” is the key phrase to take note of. Clearly there are hopes that maybe these events can be rescheduled at some point later in the season. Yet this in itself is fraught with difficulty due to the local climate which becomes unbearably hot during the European summer and autumn months.
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Its “impossible” to reschedule the Bahrain and Saudi Grand Prix
Each of the four Middle Eastern F1 events take place early and late in the year during to this reason. The 2024 Qatar was held on the 8th October and proved to be a disaster. Drivers were throwing up in their helmets due to the intense heat and retrieving from the race in the case of Williams Logan Sargent. To this end the event has been moved back to back with the season finale in Abu Dhabi and will be held this year on the 29th November.
Starting the weekend of 23-5th October, Formula One’s end of season run in begins. This weekend will hold the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, then there are two back to back races in Mexico and Sau Paulo the following two weekends.
F1 takes a short breather of one weekend before returning to Las Vegas 19-21 November which is then followed by two more back to back races in Qatar and finally Abu Dhabi on the 6-8th December.
Given the temperatures in the middle east for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, it wold not be possible to reschedule these races prior to the US Grand Prix which begins the final six races across seven weekends. So unless F1 continues to race beyond December 8th, the Bahrain and Saudi Grand Prix have in effect been cancelled for this season.
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So why did the FIA imply the races were cancelled for April, but may be rescheduled this year at a later date? Again, politics and money are at the root of the issue. The matter has been kicked into the long grass for the lawyers to fight over, but it is F1 fans who will suffer.
Formula One could have held two more events in April at late notice, as the super flexibility of the Covid affected calendar proved in 2020. Yet had they done this, the calendar would be filled to its maximum of 24 races and the Bahraini and Saudi promoters would have been able to insist they had been excluded from the 2026 F1 roster – and not pay their hosting fees. Further, with 22 race weekends remaining FOM will not lose any of its contractual TV fees, which would be the case if the number of events fell to 21.
It’s sad to see, but once again money is at the heart of F1 fans being deprived any racing in April 2026. Meanwhile, across the pond, Indycar is embarking on its largest schedule of races in many years. There will be 18 in total and three are already complete.
Whilst F1 returns to its slumber in terms of racing action, there will be races for motorsports fans to enjoy from the USA. Sunday 29th March will see action from the iconic if slightly bizarre Barber Motorsports Park – along with its giant insects host the fourth round of 2026 Indycar. Then the once jewel in the F1 US calendar, Long Beach will host the Indycar stars as they race around the streets of this suburb of Los Angeles.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
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Firstly, the minimum for broadcasting fees is 15 as was established in 2020 & cancellations within the last 6-7 rounds would literally be the only way to reschedule the early-season Middle East rounds.
Btw, temperatures weren’t the issue in the 2023 Qatar GP, but unusually high humidity, which is a bit different than temps alone.
Reschedule one of the Bahrain or Saudi GP races to Bathurst in Australia. If you haven’t heard of Bathurst check it out. It is Australia’s premier automotive venue.