Formula 1 is reportedly facing a significant decision: The two races in the premier class of motorsport, scheduled for the coming weeks in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, are said to be removed from the calendar without replacement, according to recent reports. This development comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was slated for April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah following a week later. As Formula 1 typically guarantees television broadcasters a specific number of races per year, these two events will not be rescheduled but permanently canceled, bringing the calendar to the expected number of events.
While an official confirmation from Formula 1 is still pending, the feasibility of holding both races has been under review since the start of the Iran conflict two weeks ago. This conflict began when certain parties launched airstrikes on Iran, which were termed a preemptive strike, reportedly resulting in casualties among high-ranking Iranian officials. Iran subsequently retaliated with attacks against various regional targets and facilities. Saudi Arabia and the Bahraini capital, Manama, were among the affected areas.
Bahrain has recently experienced damage from drones and missiles. A residential building and a prominent hotel in Manama, which was reportedly designated as a team headquarters for a Formula 1 racing team during the planned race weekend, were among the targets hit.
Formula 1: Next Race After Potential Cancellations Would Be May 3 in the USA
It remains unclear whether the cancellations would be initiated by the local organizers or by Formula 1 itself, as this distinction would carry different financial implications for each party regarding hosting fees and potential revenue losses. Following the current races in China this weekend and Japan next week, the Formula 1 season would, after the proposed cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races, resume on May 3 with the Miami Grand Prix in the USA.