The decision not to reschedule the races for later in the year was made by Liberty media-owned Formula One and the governing FIA, in consultation with the local promoters. The calendar will now be reduced from 24 to 22 races.
Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali stated, “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East.”
The Bahrain Grand Prix was supposed to take place on April 12 at the Sakhir circuit, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche track the following week. Both races are held at night under floodlights.
Due to the ongoing conflict in the region, with US and Israeli attacks on Iran continuing and airports closing, logistics and safety concerns have led to the cancellation of the races. The deadline for freight to be sent to Bahrain was March 20.
Alternative venues were considered but ultimately ruled out, and the FIA decided to leave April blank on the calendar. Formula Two, Formula Three, and the F1 Academy rounds planned for the Middle Eastern races have also been canceled.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the priority of safety for the racing community and expressed hope for stability in the region. The decision was made in consultation with all stakeholders involved.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are significant events for Formula One, both in terms of hosting fees and investment in the sport. Bahrain’s hosting fees are estimated at around $45 million annually, and Saudi Arabia’s fees are likely higher.
This is not the first time the Bahrain Grand Prix has been canceled, with civil unrest leading to the cancellation of the race in 2011. The Jeddah race faced scrutiny in 2022 but proceeded after safety assurances were provided.
Overall, the cancellation of the races is a significant loss for Formula One, both financially and in terms of the sporting calendar. The hope is for a return to stability in the region to allow for future races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
