New Headline: "Formula 1 Teams Focus on Streamlined Safety Improvements

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 14: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 14, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) | Getty Images Formula 1 ended days of speculation on Saturday, confirming that both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April as scheduled, due to ongoing hostility in the region. When the United States and Israel began a series of air strikes in Iran, speculation grew about both races, which were scheduled to take place in April.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was slated for April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for the following week. But the hostilities in the area forced the cancellation of a Pirelli tire test that was set to take place before the season, adding to the speculation regarding those two races. Now, F1 has made it official.

In the announcement, F1 noted that “after careful evaluations, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April. “While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April. ” Both F1 President Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the matter.

“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East. I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so,” said Domenicali.