Formula 1’s Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April are set to be called off this weekend due to the conflict in the Middle East, reducing the 2026 season to 22 races.
The sport had been due to be in Bahrain for the new season’s fourth round on April 10-12 before racing in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah a week later on April 17-19.
But both countries are among the Gulf states to have been struck by Iran in retaliation to US-Israeli air strikes amid the conflict in the region.
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Safety is the paramount concern of Formula 1 and the FIA, and the situation in the Middle East has not improved in recent days.
Sky Sports News understands the Middle East races in April will be cancelled by the end of this Sunday and will likely not be replaced on F1’s busy March-December schedule, meaning the season would run to 22 Grands Prix weekends.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
Portugal’s Portimato and Italy’s Imola circuits have been mooted as possible replacements, but there would not be enough time to organise the events for April.
F1 and the FIA have declined to comment on the matter.
With no races taking place during April, there will be a five-week gap in the schedule between the Japanese Grand Prix, the season’s third round, on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3.
F1 is currently in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix where George Russell is on pole for Saturday’s Sprint at 3am before full Qualifying at 7am and Sunday’s race, also at 7am.
Formula 1 2026 Calendar – Updated
| Australia | March 6-8 | Netherlands | August 21-23* |
| China | March 13-15* | Italy | September 4-6 |
| Japan | March 27-29 | Madrid | September 11-13 |
| Miami | May 1-3* | Azerbaijan | September 24-26 |
| Canada | May 22-24* | Singapore | October 9-11* |
| Monaco | June 5-7 | USA | October 23-25 |
| Barcelona | June 12-14 | Mexico | Oct 30-Nov 1 |
| Austria | June 26-28 | Brazil | November 6-8 |
| Great Britain | July 3-5* | Las Vegas | November 19-21 |
| Belgium | July 17-19 | Qatar | November 27-29 |
| Hungary | July 24-26 | Abu Dhabi | December 4-6 |
| *denotes Sprint weekend |
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
Saturday March 14
2.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*
3am: CHINESE GP SPRINT*
4.30am: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.30am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime