Formula 1 faces a moment of uncertainty in the 2026 calendar, and the Saudi Arabian GP is trying to maintain its position in the season amidst the crisis in the Middle East. With escalating tensions in the region, the races scheduled for April in Bahrain and Jeddah have become the target of increasing doubts.
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The geopolitical situation, triggered after military attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, has caused direct impacts on the category’s logistics. The instability has already affected Formula 1 activities in the region and put the realization of the two races scheduled for April at risk.
One of the first reflections occurred as early as late February. A Pirelli tire test that was to be held in Bahrain between February 28 and March 1 had to be canceled after the start of the attacks. During the period, Iran launched a missile at the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet command center, located in Bahrain, in addition to targeted attacks on cities such as Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
The situation also caused a strong impact on air transport in the Persian Gulf region. Dubai International Airport was one of the targets of attacks, which generated a major disruption in flights and further complicated the logistical scenario for teams, equipment, and the Formula 1 organization.
In this context, the two events scheduled for April began to be analyzed with caution. The Bahrain GP is scheduled for the weekend between April 10 and 12, while the Saudi Arabian GP is expected to take place the following week. Despite this, the possibility of canceling the races has come to be considered the most likely solution at this time, rather than a postponement to another date on the calendar.
Formula 1 states that it continues to closely monitor the situation before making a final decision. However, there is an increasingly close deadline for the definition, as the category needs to send logistical material to Sakhir if the race in Bahrain is maintained.
Even with this scenario, the organizers of the race in Jeddah are working intensely to preserve the event on the calendar. Still, the future of the Saudi race is directly linked to what happens with the Bahrain GP.
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Information indicates that if one of the two stages is canceled, the other must also be removed from the calendar. This would place Formula 1 before an additional challenge to reorganize its season.
If the two races are indeed canceled, the 2026 season will have only 22 races, with no replacements for the April stages. This would create an unusual gap in the championship, which would be without races for the entire month.
Some European circuits have been considered as possible alternatives, including Imola and Portimão. However, the Italian circuit faces a calendar conflict, as it will host the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship on April 19, exactly on the date originally scheduled for the Saudi Arabian GP.
Even if Imola were used as a substitute only for Bahrain, holding Formula 1 and WEC events on consecutive weekends would represent a significant logistical challenge for the circuit.
Given this scenario, if no further cancellations occur in other stages of the championship, such as Qatar or Abu Dhabi later in the season, Formula 1 could have its first 22-race calendar in 2026 since 2023.
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