JUST IN : F1 set to cancel 2026 races this weekend…Read more
Formula 1 is reportedly preparing to make a significant announcement this weekend regarding the potential cancellation of two races on the 2026 calendar, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
The championship is currently in China for the second round of the 2026 season, and it is understood that clarity could emerge during the course of the weekend about the future of rounds four and five. At present, F1 is scheduled to travel to Bahrain in April for the fourth race of the campaign, before heading to Saudi Arabia just one week later. However, the ongoing conflict in the region has cast serious doubt over the viability of both events.
Concerns first surfaced earlier this year when a planned Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain was called off following initial Iranian missile strikes on military bases in the country. Since then, the situation has reportedly worsened, increasing uncertainty around whether the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix can proceed as planned. Safety remains the sport’s highest priority, and F1, alongside the FIA and local organisers, is closely monitoring developments before making a final determination.
While race cancellations are relatively rare in modern Formula 1, the sport has faced significant disruption in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread upheaval during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, forcing multiple races to be cancelled, postponed, or replaced as the calendar was repeatedly revised in response to global health restrictions.
More recently, the last Grand Prix to be officially cancelled came during the 2023 campaign, a season dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. Since then, the championship has enjoyed greater stability, with packed global schedules and strong attendance figures underlining the sport’s continued growth.
Should the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds be removed from the 2026 calendar, Formula 1 may explore alternative venues or schedule adjustments to maintain the planned number of races. However, any decision will ultimately depend on security assessments and logistical considerations.
An official statement is expected in the coming days, potentially providing teams, drivers, and fans with clarity over the immediate future of the 2026 season. Until then, attention remains on-track in Shanghai, even as uncertainty looms over the championship’s next destinations.
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