After discussions at the recent Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 established a ten-day period to decide the future of the April Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix. This schedule was primarily influenced by the need for cargo transportation to the Gulf, given the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran in the area.
These two Middle Eastern competitions are paired to streamline F1’s intricate logistical operations, making it challenging to conduct one without the other, though there was a perceived possibility of still holding the Jeddah event.
A portion of the equipment for teams and Pirelli remains in Bahrain from pre-season testing. However, with the event set for April 12, the remaining cargo must be dispatched very soon. Preserving the Saudi competition would necessitate staff traveling to Bahrain to transport some materials across the frontier.
The impending deadline, which follows the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, is now fast approaching, and it appears F1 will be unable to meet it.
Current Situation as of Friday, March 13
Lando Norris, McLaren, F1 Chinese GP
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
As of Friday evening, regional hostilities have persisted and intensified. On Thursday, Iranian forces targeted fuel and oil storage facilities in Bahrain, following an assault two weeks prior on the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in the Gulf nation, located mere kilometers from central Manama and near the airport.
Global maritime transit via the vital Strait of Hormuz has also experienced significant disruption, with accounts of ships being hit off the shores of the United Arab Emirates and the Iraqi port of Basra. Air travel continues to be greatly impacted, as all flight activities at Bahrain International Airport are presently halted, though the Saudi Arabian airports in Jeddah and Riyadh mostly operate without interruption.
Since the commencement of the conflict on February 28, triggered by the US assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, there has been no cessation of fighting, nor any apparent strategy for the duration of the engagement. This unpredictability is now expected to compel F1’s leadership to act, as numerous sources suggest both events will be cancelled.
Autosport.com comprehends that a definitive decision will be disclosed in the upcoming 48 hours. Monitor our ongoing F1 reports throughout the weekend for coverage of this evolving situation.
Reasons Why Substituting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Was Impractical
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
The removal of both competitions from the 2026 schedule implies no F1 events will take place in April, creating a six-week hiatus between the Japan and Miami stages.
Early information indicated F1 might arrange a few last-minute substitute events in Europe, mirroring its commendable actions during the COVID pandemic. Nevertheless, as noted earlier, this is unlikely due to its limited logistical and financial viability.
The inaugural European stage of 2026 is presently slated for June 7, when F1 travels to Monaco’s urban circuits. Introducing impromptu races seven or eight weeks prior, such as at Portimao or Imola, would create substantial organizational challenges for F1, the FIA, and any prospective local organizer.
Event organizers would be required to establish urgent agreements with municipal bodies and assemble a minimal team to manage the track, considering that current F1 events typically demand nearly a full year of preparation.
Furthermore, ticket distribution presents a challenge, being difficult to coordinate and advertise on such brief notice. A scarcity of paying attendees offers scant motivation for any promoter to provide a sanctioning payment justifying the extensive effort.
Although the specific agreements between F1 management and the Bahraini and Saudi organizers are undisclosed, the cancellation of these two events—which collectively contribute over 100 million euros in hosting fees—is bound to result in a monetary setback, impacting team profits. However, as McLaren CEO Zak Brown remarked in Australia, “Considering the current circumstances, we are not concerned if there is a minor financial repercussion.”
Nevertheless, as elaborated, any immediate substitute events would not recover that revenue. The situation might differ if the overall count of 2026 races fell below 22, which is F1’s contractual minimum for broadcast agreements. Yet, even without Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, F1 will still achieve that figure this year.
Moreover, the series has ample time to evaluate the year-end competitions in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, alongside developing any backup strategies.
On Thursday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his confidence in F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to “act in everyone’s best interest.”
It increasingly appears that F1’s decision will be compelled regardless, as instability continues to expand across the Middle East.
