Formula 1 Cancels Two Races Amid US-Iran Conflict

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix events will not take place in April due to the ongoing war between the US and Iran.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:51pm

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Formula 1 has announced the cancellation of its Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix races scheduled for April, citing the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran as the reason. The decision was made by F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who expressed regret over the situation but stated it was the right call given the current circumstances in the Middle East.

Why it matters

The cancellation of these two high-profile F1 races is a significant disruption to the motorsports calendar and underscores the broader geopolitical tensions playing out in the region. It also raises questions about the potential impact on other international sporting events scheduled to take place in the Middle East.

The details

The Bahrain Grand Prix was set for April 10-12 at Bahrain International Circuit, while the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was scheduled for April 17-19 at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. F1 cited the 'current situation in the Middle East' as the reason for the cancellations, with no further races planned in the region during this time period.

  • The decision to cancel the two races was announced on March 16, 2026.
  • The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled for April 10-12, 2026.
  • The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was originally scheduled for April 17-19, 2026.

The players

Stefano Domenicali

The President and CEO of Formula 1, who announced the cancellation of the two races.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The former Supreme Leader of Iran, who was killed in the conflict with the US, leading to his son Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding him.

Ahmad Donyamali

The Iranian sports minister, who stated Iran's national soccer team would not participate in the 2026 World Cup due to the US government's actions.

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What they’re saying

“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East.”

— Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1

“Given that this corrupt government assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”

— Ahmad Donyamali, Iranian Sports Minister

What’s next

With the two canceled races in April, Formula 1 will have a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix in late March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May, leaving the organization to potentially explore alternative race options to fill the void.

The takeaway

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix races underscores the broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the potential for international sporting events to be disrupted by such conflicts. It also raises questions about the long-term impact on Formula 1's presence in the region and the ability of other major sporting competitions to safely operate in the area.