Saudi Arabia's stance on cancelling Grand Prix emerges in major F1 update
Saudi Arabia is pushing hard to keep the 2026 Grand Prix in Jeddah on the calendar amid growing speculation it will be cancelled alongside the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The hugely anticipated 2026 F1 season got underway in Melbourne last week, with title favourite George Russell leading a Mercedes one-two as Charles Leclerc completed the podium.
The 2026 season was intended to match 2025 as the longest in the sport's history with 24 races, however, due to esculations in the Middle East that now looks increasingly unlikely.
Following missile strikes in the region, F1 issued the following statement: "Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East - those races are not for a number of weeks.
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"As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities."
According to The Daily Mail, both the Bahrain and Saudi Grand Prix are set to be cancelled as with confirmation expected in the coming weeks.
However, a recent update from Racing365 has claimed organisers of the race in Jeddah are in negotiations to keep its place on the calendar.
Despite no decision being made, it is understood that the Saudi Grand Prix is inextricably connected to the race in Bahrain, meaning if one is cancelled the other will suffer the same fate.
While the situation in Jeddah might be more stable, F1 have already been forced to cancel a Pirelli test event due to take place at the Bahrain international circuit.
Verified footage via the BBC shows debris fired into the air after a strike on the Bahrain National Communication Centre, which is only 15 miles from the circuit.
As it stands there remains heavy flight disruption in the Persian Gulf states, meaning transport for teams would be extremely difficult if not impossible.
If both races are to be cancelled, current reports suggest they will not be replaced, meaning there will be no F1 race in April for the first time since 2020.
Topics: Formula 1
Tom Jenkins