The decision aims to provide security to pilots, who are scared by the attacks
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed this Saturday the cancellation of the Formula 1 GPs in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for April, due to conflicts in the Middle East, with the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which reacts by hitting neighboring countries.
“It has been confirmed today, following careful assessments, that due to the current situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” the FIA said. “While several alternatives were considered, the final decision was that there will be no replacements in April.”
The decision aims to provide security to pilots, who are scared by the attacks. The Bahrain GP would be the fourth of the season, on the weekend of April 12th. The race in Saudi Arabia would be held seven days later. The Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy stages will also not take place on the scheduled dates.
With the confirmation of the cancellations, the Formula 1 season will be reduced to 22 GPs and will be without races for more than a month. After the race in Japan, on March 29th, the World Cup will be held again in Miami, on May 3rd.
The closure of airspace in the Gulf has already interfered with the teams’ route to the races in Australia, the first in 2026, and a curfew was even activated by the FIA. The conflict also caused the cancellation of tests by Mercedes and McLaren with Pirelli tires. The FIA highlighted that the decision was taken in consensus with local promoters.
