Overview
- Sky Sports, Reuters, ESPN and AFP report the April races in Bahrain (April 12) and Saudi Arabia (April 19) are set to be called off, with confirmation expected this weekend or by Monday.
- Security concerns follow Iranian missile and drone strikes that hit Manama, including a hotel used by teams, and targets in Saudi Arabia, with regional air travel and shipping disrupted.
- A March 20 freight deadline makes staging the events unworkable, with garage kit left in Sakhir after testing and additional equipment already boxed for Jeddah.
- Replacement venues are viewed as unlikely, leaving a five‑week gap between Japan on March 29 and Miami on May 3 and reducing the 2026 season from 24 to 22 rounds.
- Financial liability for cancellation and hosting fees is under negotiation as F1 and the FIA refrain from formal comment, while the WEC has already postponed its Qatar opener to October.