Formula One is poised to cancel the upcoming Grand Prix events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The races were originally scheduled for April as part of the 2026 season, with Bahrain’s Grand Prix set for April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia’s race in Jeddah the following weekend. Both countries have been affected by the conflict involving Iran, the USA, and Israel, leading to the decision to postpone the races. This change will reduce the current season’s schedule from 24 races to 22.
At present, neither Formula One nor the FIA have issued official statements regarding the cancellations. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem mentioned on social media that they are closely monitoring the situation and prioritizing safety and well-being in their decision-making process for upcoming events.
With the cancellation of the races, there will be no Formula One action in April, resulting in a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Meanwhile, during the ongoing Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, British driver George Russell is expected to start on pole position for the Sprint race. Russell, representing Mercedes, currently leads the early driver standings with 25 points, while teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli follows closely in second place.
Formula One enthusiasts can catch all the live action, including practice sessions, qualifiers, and races, with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which also offers access to around 100 TV channels along with complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.