New Delhi, March 15 -- Formula 1 has officially cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April 2026 due to the escalating war in the Middle East. The decision, announced ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, dropped the season from a planned 24 races to 22, creating a significant five-week gap in the early calendar.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was set for April 10-12 in Sakhir, followed by the Saudi Arabian event in Jeddah from April 17-19. Both venues have been affected by regional attacks linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Safety concerns for teams, staff, and fans prompted the cancellations, with no plans to reschedule or replace the races.

Supporting series, including...