Formula 1 drops Bahrain, Saudi Arabia races amid escalating Iran war tensions: reports

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

The fourth round of races in Formula 1’s new season, scheduled for next month in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, are no longer expected to proceed as planned.

ESPN, citing sources, reported that F1 officials agreed to cancel the events amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. 

Sky News was first to report the cancellation.

The Bahrain race had been scheduled for April 12, while the event in Saudi Arabia was slated to begin on April 19 in the city of Jeddah. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have both been hit by missile strikes during Iran’s retaliation after a series of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Driver Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin competes during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at the Miami International Autodrome May 7, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Eva Marie Uzcategul T/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Although it remains unclear what state the conflict will be in around the dates the races were scheduled to begin, F1 teams would soon need to start sending freight to the region in preparation for both events. The condensed timeline likely prompted decision-makers to reach a conclusion now.

There is no word on whether the Middle East races will be rescheduled for a later date. However, there is little room on the rest of this year’s calendar to move the events.

The F1 logo is displayed during the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grande Premio De Sao Paulo 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2025.  (Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Given the uncertainty, F1 reportedly made the decision to avoid any disruption to the championship should a race be canceled later in the calendar.

LIV GOLFERS