F1 Cancels Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Races Due to Security Risks

0:00On March 13th, Formula One has decided to cancel its Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month due to security risks from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Bahrain's event was scheduled for 12 April and Saudi Arabia's for 19 April, both part of the 2026 season. These races likely won't be replaced on the calendar, which means the season will shrink to just 22 weekends from March through December. Those planned to make it official in the next two days, even though the event still show up on the current schedule. The move follows no improvement in regional tensions, with several big banks pulling back operations in Gulf countries after recent Iranian strikes. Staff evacuations and branch closures highlight the growing worries over safety. Standard chartered told workers in Dubai to stay home, while City Group cleared offices in key areas there. JP Morgan and HSBC also shifted to remote work or shutdown sites in Qatar to protect employees and clients.

1:01Other Middle East races later this year, like Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December, remain on track for now. The FIA President stressed that safety comes first as they keep a close watch on developments.