Both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian (Jeddah) Grand Prix were canceled after rounds in April were called off, and insiders say they are unlikely to be reinstated on the 2026 calendar despite contingency talks. FIA, Liberty Media and F1’s 11 teams discussed a possible Oct. 4 slot, and one report placed that date between the Azerbaijan race on Sept. 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on Oct. 11, though reporting varied on the exact placement. Organizers had considered reviving a round in October to preserve a 23-race schedule. No firm decision has been announced; the parties declined to comment.

Insiders and F1 chiefs said rescheduling Bahrain or Jeddah is unlikely, leaving the 2026 calendar reduced. Officials and team bosses cited practical barriers, including Middle East summer heat, the operational strain of creating two triple-header sequences, the burden of four consecutive race weekends, driver welfare concerns and logistical constraints. F1 management warned that adding the two races could risk crowning an “undeserving” drivers’ champion and would introduce an extra 50 championship points. Re-adding Jeddah after Abu Dhabi was described as highly unlikely because of logistics and the FIA awards event in Shanghai on Dec. 12; contingency talks have continued over possible season-ending slots in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The cancellations followed U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran since February, a fragile ceasefire and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, developments that directly affected race planning and regional safety assessments. Financially, Guggenheim Partners estimated about $200 million in annual revenue loss and roughly $80 million in EBITDA impact for Liberty Media, and reported Bahrain’s promoter fee at more than $50 million. F1 has been on hiatus since the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29; the championship is scheduled to resume in Miami May 1–3 using the sprint weekend format. No confirmed schedule changes have been published.