2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix
Cancelled Formula One motor races
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026) and the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula One STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026) were Formula One motor races that were scheduled to be held on 12 and 19 April 2026, at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, respectively, as part of the 2026 Formula One World Championship. The races were scheduled to be the fourth and fifth rounds of the season. On 14 March, Formula One announced the cancellation of both races due to the breakout of the 2026 Iran war.[3]
Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
Sakhir, Bahrain
Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah: Street circuit
| 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
The respective layouts of the Bahrain International and Jeddah Corniche circuits | |||
| Race details[1][2] | |||
| Date | Planned for 12 and 19 April 2026 | ||
| Official name |
Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026 | ||
| Location |
Bahrain International Circuit Sakhir, Bahrain Jeddah Corniche Circuit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Course |
Bahrain: Permanent racing facility Jeddah: Street circuit | ||
| Course length |
Bahrain: 5.412 km (3.363 mi) Jeddah: 6.174 km (3.836 mi) | ||
| Scheduled distance |
Bahrain: 57 laps Jeddah: 50 laps, Bahrain: 308.238 km (191.530 mi) Jeddah: 308.450 km (191.662 mi) | ||
Background
The Grands Prix were set to be held across the weekend of 10–12 April and 17–19 April 2026, respectively.[1] They would have comprised the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2026 Formula One World Championship.
Championship standings before the Bahrain Grand Prix
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli would have entered the Bahrain Grand Prix as the leader of the Drivers' Championship, having won the previous race in Suzuka. Holding 72 points, Antonelli led his teammate George Russell by nine points, and third-placed Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by a further fourteen. Mercedes would have entered the round as the leader of the Constructors' Championship. Holding 135 points, they led Ferrari by 45 points, and third-placed McLaren by a further 45 points.[4] These standings are set to carry over to the Miami Grand Prix.
Outbreak of the war and subsequent cancellation
The Bahrain[5] and Saudi Arabian[6][7] Grands Prix were both contracted for a race in the 2026 season. On 28 February 2026, the Iran war broke out following targeted airstrikes by Israel and the United States.[8] In retaliation, Iran launched numerous counterattacks targeting numerous American military bases around the Middle East, including those in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which are host countries to Formula One Grands Prix.[9] Shortly after the conflict began, Pirelli cancelled impending tyre tests at the Bahrain International Circuit.[10]
Following the outbreak of the war, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) monitored the unfolding situation, prioritising the safety of drivers and team members. Earlier in March, the FIA postponed the Qatar 1812 km, the opening race of the World Endurance Championship, to October, hence Imola became the opening round of that season.[11][12] Though the FIA had explored replacements, including a return to Imola and the recently-contracted[13] Portuguese Grand Prix, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were to be held early in the season, meaning that replacements could not be arranged on short notice.[14] Ultimately, the FIA cancelled both races, citing the safety of personnel as a reason.[3][15] The Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy races were also cancelled.[16]
Prior to the break, the drivers expressed their concerns about the power unit regulations, particularly when the batteries were undergoing "super clipping", a phenomenon that occurs when the battery is being charged on full throttle against the engine,[17][18] following a heavy crash at the previous Grand Prix. The FIA, Formula One Management and power unit manufacturers used this subsequent month-long break to hold meetings[19][20] to discuss where certain regulation changes could be implemented, eventually coming to an agreement that would see these changes debut at the following Miami Grand Prix.[21]
See also
- 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix, which was cancelled due to the Arab Spring in Bahrain
- 2020 Australian Grand Prix, which was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, which was postponed until November due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, nearby oil depot was attacked by drones and missiles by Houthi movement rebels
- 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which was cancelled due to sudden floods in the region