F1 on hiatus: Japanese GP to be last race for 5 weeks due to Iran war

The next F1 race is not until May 3 in Miami as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia events are called off.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:43pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Japanese Grand Prix, the third race of the new Formula 1 season, will be the last one for five weeks as events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been called off due to the war in Iran. Mercedes and Ferrari have adapted best to Formula 1's most radical change in power and chassis in more than a decade, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli winning the first two races. However, McLaren and Red Bull have struggled, with engine and electrical issues causing problems.

Why it matters

The five-week break in the F1 calendar due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the war in Iran will significantly disrupt the momentum of the season and force teams to rethink their development strategies. This hiatus comes at a critical time as Mercedes and Ferrari have emerged as the early frontrunners, while McLaren and Red Bull have encountered major reliability issues.

The details

Mercedes and Ferrari have adapted best to Formula 1's most radical change in power and chassis in more than a decade, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli winning the first two races. However, McLaren has struggled after winning last season's drivers' and constructors' championships, failing to even start the race two weeks ago in China due to engine and electrical faults. Red Bull and four-time champion Max Verstappen have also faced challenges, with Verstappen having to retire in China. Honda, the engine supplier for Aston Martin, has also had a horrible start to the season, causing severe vibrations and preventing either Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll from completing the first two races.

  • The Japanese Grand Prix is set for Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • The next F1 race is not until May 3 in Miami.
  • The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia events have been called off due to the war in Iran.

The players

George Russell

A Mercedes driver who has won each of the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Kimi Antonelli

A Mercedes driver who has won each of the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Lewis Hamilton

A Ferrari driver who has finished third and fourth in the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Charles Leclerc

A Ferrari driver who has finished third and fourth in the first two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Lando Norris

A McLaren driver who is looking to prove the team's capabilities after winning the drivers' and constructors' championships last season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Now is just as good a time as ever to prove exactly what we can do as a team — against Ferrari, against Mercedes, who are performing very well at the minute.”

— Lando Norris, McLaren driver

“We just need to keep working, keep trying to put more performance on the car. Maybe the little break we have now is a good time to look back and analyze even more things. Basically, try to be better in Miami.”

— Max Verstappen

What’s next

The next F1 race is scheduled for May 3 in Miami, giving teams a five-week break to address their issues and prepare for the second half of the season.

The takeaway

The five-week break in the F1 calendar due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be a critical time for teams to regroup and address the reliability and performance issues that have plagued some of the top contenders in the early part of the season. The battle between Mercedes and Ferrari at the front of the grid, as well as the struggles of McLaren and Red Bull, will be key storylines to watch as the season resumes in Miami.