Formula 1 has delayed its decision on whether to proceed with the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 12 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 19, 2026, due to escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks. Officials are monitoring the situation closely, with safety as the top priority. The conflict has already led to travel disruptions and the cancellation of related events at the ongoing Australian Grand Prix.
The 2026 Formula 1 season began with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8, followed by races in China on March 15 and Japan on March 29. The schedule then calls for back-to-back events in Bahrain on April 12 and Saudi Arabia on April 19. However, these races are now in doubt due to the ongoing conflict, which includes Iranian strikes on sites in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a U.S. naval base just 20 miles from the Bahrain International Circuit.
F1 officials met during the Australian Grand Prix weekend but made no final call, according to Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer. "What we said is, first of all, it’s still a month to go," Bayer told reporters. "And I know Stefano (Domenicali, F1’s president and CEO), and the FIA, they’re monitoring the situation. And I trust they make the right decision for us as a team."
McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized safety: "Obviously (for) the sport, ourselves, the fans, the partners, our race team, all that will be of the utmost importance from a safety point of view. We just have to see how things play out, and we’ll make the right decision for the health of everybody involved in the sport."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added, "F1 becomes the second priority. I would very much hope we race. Is it realistic that we race there at the moment? I’m not quite sure."
The FIA has already postponed the World Endurance Championship's preseason test and opening round in Qatar, scheduled for March 26-28. A Pirelli wet-weather tire test in Bahrain with Mercedes and McLaren was also canceled following the initial strikes. Travel to Australia faced disruptions from flight cancellations by Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, prompting F1 to arrange charter flights.
Qatar Airways, F1's official airline partner and naming rights holder for the Australian Grand Prix, canceled all its hospitality events, including a VIP dinner and Paddock Club access, citing the closure of Qatari airspace and respect for those impacted.
A decision is expected around early April, based on logistics for transporting equipment after the Chinese Grand Prix. Cancellation could create a five-week gap in the calendar until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3 and cost over $100 million in hosting fees, with potential replacements like Imola or Portimão under consideration, though unlikely to generate fees. The last F1 race cancellation was the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to flooding in Italy.
