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Formula 1 is preparing to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April 2026 due to escalating Middle East conflict. Multiple sources indicate an announcement will come by Monday, with a March 20 freight deadline forcing the decision. The cancellations would reduce the 2026 F1 calendar from 24 to 22 races, with neither event likely to be rescheduled.

The Middle East has become a key revenue source for F1, with Bahrain hosting races since 2004 and Saudi Arabia joining in 2021 through a reported $650 million deal. Both Gulf states have used F1 as part of broader sportswashing strategies to enhance their international image. The current conflict appears centered on the Gaza war and regional tensions involving Iran-backed groups, though reports avoid specifying exactly which aspects of the “Middle East conflict” prompted the cancellations.

The decision highlights F1’s vulnerability to geopolitical instability despite its expansion into lucrative but politically sensitive markets. While the sport previously faced criticism for racing in these countries amid human rights concerns, the cancellations suggest security risks have now outweighed commercial interests.

Sources:

• F1 set to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to war in Middle East as 2026 calendar to drop to 22 races | F1 News | Sky Sports
• Bahrain and Saudi F1 races set to be cancelled due to Middle East conflict | Motorsports News | Al Jazeera
• Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs to be cancelled amid Middle East war - BBC Sport
• F1 set to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix as Middle East conflict escalates

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