Formula 1 has officially canceled its upcoming races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns related to the ongoing Iran war. According to multiple reports, both events scheduled for April will not take place.
Key Takeaways
Formula 1 has canceled its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns related to the Iran war. The decision was announced ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, with both F1 and FIA prioritizing safety.
- Formula 1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April
- Decision made due to ongoing Middle East tensions from the Iran war
- No replacement races will be organized in April, creating a five-week gap in the calendar
- Promoters of both races supported the decision
The decision was announced early Sunday morning in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix by Formula 1 and its governing body, the FIA. "Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April," F1 stated. The races were set for April 12 in Bahrain and April 19 in Jeddah.
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, said that while it was a difficult decision, safety had to be the priority. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of placing "the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first." The promoters of both races supported the decision.
The cancellation creates a five-week gap in the F1 calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. This would make it the shortest season since 2023, with only 22 race weekends if no rescheduling occurs. The decision comes as several alternatives were considered but ultimately rejected due to logistical challenges.
Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been affected by Iran's response following attacks by the United States and Israel. F1 typically flies in staff and cargo weeks in advance, making it difficult to organize replacement races at short notice. The FIA did not explicitly rule out rescheduling the races for a later date, stating that they look forward to returning to both countries as soon as circumstances allow.
Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver who qualified on pole position for Sunday’s race in Shanghai, expressed his thoughts with those affected by the situation. Team principals also signaled their willingness to follow the guidance of the FIA and Formula 1, emphasizing that safety is paramount
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