Formula 1 has confirmed the cancellation of its Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April 2026, reducing the season to 22 races. The decision comes amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, with both Gulf nations targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes following US-Israeli military actions.

Originally slated for April 10-12 in Bahrain and April 17-19 in Jeddah, these races would have been the season's fourth and fifth rounds. The cancellations create a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3. Safety remains the paramount concern for both Formula 1 and the FIA.

With the Middle East races dropped, the 2026 calendar now features 22 Grands Prix weekends instead of the previously planned schedule. The sport is currently in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, where George Russell secured pole position for Saturday's Sprint. This marks the first time F1 has cancelled races due to regional conflict since Bahrain's 2011 Grand Prix was postponed and ultimately cancelled during the Arab Spring protests.