F1 is set to officially announce the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The 2026 F1 season was set to match 2025 as the longest in the sport's history with 24 rounds, with the second race of the season taking place in Shanghai this weekend.
However, the calendar is set to be reduced to just 22 rounds due to growing concerns over the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabian which were set for April.
F1 has already been forced to cancel a Pirelli tyre event in Bahrain ahead of the season opener in Melbourne, after footage via the BBC shows debris fired into the air at the Bahrain National Communication Centre ,which is only 15 miles from the Bahrain circuit.
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F1 has attempted to delay the decision to cancel the races for as long as possible, however, according to The Daily Mail, the cars and other critical freight must begin transport to the Gulf by the middle of next week.
The report claims the decision will be announced in the next 48 hours, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali prioritising the safety of the 3,000 travelling contingent of the F1 motorsport circus.
Despite the situation in Jeddah being more stable, it is understood that the Saudi Grand Prix is inextricably connected to the race in Bahrain, meaning if one is cancelled the other must suffer the same fate.
Topics: Formula 1, Motorsport
Tom Jenkins