Formula 1 confirmed on Saturday that the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been canceled due to the war in Iran.
The rounds of 12 April and 19 April were already in major doubt due to the conflict, and both of them were officially canceled before Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.
This leaves F1 with a five-week gap between the third round of the new season in Japan on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, and the possibility of reducing the number of races this season from 24 to 22 – although it has not been completely ruled out that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian competitions could be held at another stage this year.
“Although this decision was difficult to take, unfortunately given the current situation in the Middle East, it is the right decision at this stage,” Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and complete understanding as they were eager to host us with their usual energy and passion. We can’t wait to be back with them as soon as circumstances allow us to do so.”
A statement from F1 said: “It has been confirmed today that, after careful assessment, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April.
“While a number of options were considered, it was ultimately decided that no replacement will be made in April. The FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled timeslots. This decision has been taken in full consultation with the Formula One Group, local promoters and our member clubs in the region.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in the statement: “The FIA will always put the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have made this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”
“We look forward to a swift return to peace, security and stability in the region, and my thoughts are with all those affected by these recent events. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances permit.”
“My heartfelt thanks to the promoters, our partners and our associates at the championship for the collaborative and creative approach that led to this decision.”
Both countries are embroiled in a war between Iran and America and Israel.
The logistics of moving its merchandise around the world for F1 meant that a quick decision was needed about racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Sources have told ESPN that the call to cancel Bahrain was straightforward but that the move to the Saudi race was less so.
The Saudis were pushing for their races to go ahead as normal, but F1 did not want to risk a situation where there was an increase close to the race with freight and personnel already in the country.
The Saudi Arabian GP infamously went ahead in 2022 despite a missile attack on a nearby Aramco oil depot by Yemen’s Houthi rebels while a practice session was taking place at the circuit.
On that occasion, the drivers did not want to proceed but after a four-hour meeting F1 and Saudi race organizers convinced them to proceed.
Although this was an attack that occurred without warning during an already ongoing race weekend, F1 knew that, with the current situation in Iran, the security risks were too high to return to Saudi Arabia this time.
Further races are planned in the region: in Qatar on 29 November and the season closing round in Abu Dhabi a week later. F1 chiefs are hopeful that both these races will go ahead as scheduled.
Speaking earlier this week, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton backed F1 to make the right decision.
Hamilton, who will start from third on the grid in China on Sunday, said: “I know that [F1 CEO] Stefano [Domenicali] We will do what is right for all of us and the game. It is a great thing to have a great leader like him.”
ESPN’s Nate Saunders and PA contributed to this report.
