F1 weighs more race cancellations amid Middle East war

F1 already cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in March due to Iranian retaliatory attacks in the Gulf, cutting the 2026 season to 22 races.skysports
The sport is in a five-week break before the Miami GP on May 3, while former driver Robert Doornbos says a December rescheduling of the Saudi race is being considered.sportbible
Reports indicate F1 executives may axe the Qatar and late-season Saudi rounds too if conditions don’t improve, though no formal steps have been taken, per the BBC.express

2026 Bahrain Grand Prix Cancelled as Middle East Conflict Disrupts F1 Calendar

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit, did not take place. Formula 1 confirmed the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, reducing the 2026 season from 24 to 22 races. Max Verstappen did not win in Bahrain — the race was never held.skysports

A Season Defined by Mercedes, Not Red Bull

Far from the narrative of Red Bull dominance, the 2026 season has so far belonged to Mercedes. George Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8, leading teammate Kimi Antonelli to a 1-2 finish in Melbourne. Antonelli then claimed back-to-back victories at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15 and the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, establishing Mercedes as the early pace-setter under F1’s sweeping new technical regulations. Verstappen, the four-time world champion, finished sixth in Australia, more than 54 seconds behind Russell.formula1

Five-Week Gap Before Miami

The cancellations have created a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix and the next race in Miami, scheduled for May 1-3. According to Sky Sports, the decision was announced on March 14, driven by safety concerns after Iranian retaliatory attacks on U.S. military installations in the Gulf region made conditions in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia untenable for the sport’s traveling operation. The Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy rounds originally planned for those weekends were also scrapped.sportbible

Rescheduling Under Discussion

Former Dutch racing driver Robert Doornbos has suggested the cancelled Middle East races may yet be rescheduled later in 2026, with a potential December slot under consideration that could push the Abu Dhabi season finale to a later date. However, according to the BBC, no formal steps have been taken to reinstate the events, and F1 has stated that the safety of all personnel remains its highest priority.express