F1 Faces $200M Loss After Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Race Cancellations

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East forces cancellation of two key Grand Prix events.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:04am

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The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East represents a significant financial blow to Formula 1, with estimates suggesting the sport could lose between $190 and $200 million in revenue. The absence of these two races, which collectively contribute over $250 million annually in promoter fees, highlights the growing importance of Middle Eastern events to F1's economic health.

Why it matters

The cancellations create a five-week gap in the F1 calendar, presenting logistical challenges for teams and raising questions about fan engagement during the downtime. It also underscores the need for Formula 1 to diversify its race locations, as over-reliance on a single region exposes the sport to geopolitical risks.

The details

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. These events collectively contribute over $250 million annually in promoter fees, with Bahrain paying around $45 million and Saudi Arabia and Qatar each contributing approximately $55 million. In contrast, more traditional European races like Silverstone and Monza pay between $20 and $30 million. The cancellations create a five-week gap in the F1 calendar, with the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.

  • The Japanese Grand Prix is scheduled for March 29, 2026.
  • The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for May 3, 2026.

The players

Formula 1

The premier international open-wheel racing series.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem

The President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of Formula 1.

Stefano Domenicali

The Chief Executive Officer of Formula 1.

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What they’re saying

“Safety was the paramount concern.”

— Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President

“The decision, while challenging, was necessary given the current situation in the Middle East.”

— Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 CEO

What’s next

No substitutions will be made in April to replace the cancelled races.

The takeaway

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races highlights the need for Formula 1 to diversify its race locations and be better prepared for geopolitical risks that could disrupt the sport's calendar and financial stability.