F1 cancels Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Grands Prix

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekends in April have been cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.

Formula 1 has concluded after “careful evaluations” that it is not safe to hold either race because of the ongoing conflict across the region.

“While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April,” Formula 1’s governing body the FIA said in a statement before Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The Bahrain event at Sakhir was scheduled for 10-12 April, while the Saudi event in Jeddah would have taken place a week later.

The races will not be rescheduled or replaced, so the F1 season will be reduced to 22 races and there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 27-29 March and Miami on 1-3 May.

“The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Cancellations of the race weekends mean the sport will take a commercial hit of well over £100m as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the largest hosting fees on the circuit.

That money is split between the 11 teams and F1 itself, according to the sports complicated revenue structure.

“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 allow,” Ben Sulayem added.