F1: Bahrain and Saudi GP removed from 2026 calendar

Formula One is heading toward a significant change in its 2026 calendar. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, scheduled for April 12 and April 19, are increasingly likely to be removed from the championship due to the war involving Iran and the growing instability across the Gulf region. According to international media reports, the most probable outcome within the paddock is now a shortened calendar of 22 races instead of the planned 24. The issue is not only sporting. Security concerns, international flights, freight logistics and the movement of hundreds of staff members represent critical factors for a global championship that depends on precise and highly coordinated logistics.

Recent military developments have intensified the uncertainty. Several reports indicate that tensions across the Gulf have led to missile and drone attacks and disruptions affecting important regional airports. In such a situation, guaranteeing the safe arrival of teams, engineers, suppliers, media crews and race officials becomes increasingly complicated. Formula One had designed the 2026 calendar to improve geographical efficiency, grouping races by region. However, this strategy becomes fragile when an entire area is affected by geopolitical instability. Support championships such as Formula 2 are also waiting for a final decision because testing schedules and logistics depend directly on those Middle Eastern rounds.

For the moment, caution remains the official position. Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali previously explained that any decision would be taken together with the FIA and with safety as the absolute priority. The time window for a final choice, however, is rapidly narrowing. Logistics deadlines are approaching, especially regarding the shipment of equipment from Asia to the Gulf after the Chinese Grand Prix. As this deadline gets closer, maintaining the original plan becomes increasingly difficult. Postponing the races also appears problematic because the calendar is already very dense and the extreme summer temperatures in the region would make later events difficult to organize.

If the cancellations are confirmed, the 2026 season would lose two financially important races but would still remain one of the longest calendars in Formula One history with 22 Grands Prix. The absence of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds would create a gap in the early part of the championship before the Miami Grand Prix. This situation could reopen discussions about possible alternative venues that have previously hosted Formula One events. Circuits such as Imola, Portimão or Istanbul are sometimes mentioned in international media as potential options. However, organizing replacement races at short notice would be extremely complex, requiring promoters, ticket sales, security planning and a full operational structure.