Will F1 Replace the Bahrain and Saudi Gps? Updated 2026 Calendar Explained

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Formula 1 has officially cancelled the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and crucially, the races will not be replaced in the 2026 calendar.

The decision reduces the season from 24 races to 22, creating a rare early-season gap in the schedule.

Will there be replacement races for Bahrain GP and Saudi Arabian GP?

Despite considering several alternative venues, Formula 1 has confirmed that no replacement races will be added to fill the cancelled April slots.

Tracks such as Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Istanbul Park in Turkey were reportedly evaluated as potential substitutes. However, organisers ultimately concluded that there was not enough time to organise a race and secure the necessary hosting arrangements.

As a result, Formula 1 will proceed with a shortened season.

Updated 2026 F1 Calendar:

*denotes Sprint weekend

Five-week gap created in the calendar

The cancellations create an unusual five-week break in the early part of the season.

The calendar will now jump directly from the Japanese Grand Prix scheduled for March 27-29 to the Miami Grand Prix from May 1-3.

This extended gap comes at a time when teams would normally be racing through a tightly packed early-season schedule.

Safety concerns behind the decision

Formula 1 and the FIA cited safety concerns for personnel, teams and fans as the primary reason for cancelling the races.

Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been affected by escalating tensions in the region following retaliatory attacks linked to the wider conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the decision was difficult but necessary given the situation in the region.

"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."

Impact on the championship

With two races removed, the 2026 Formula 1 season will now feature 22 rounds instead of the originally planned 24.

The cancellations will also affect support series events including Formula 2, Formula 3 and the F1 Academy, which had been scheduled to race during the Bahrain-Saudi Arabia double-header.

For now, the championship will continue as planned after the break, with the season resuming in Miami before moving through the traditional European summer schedule.