Formula 1’s relentless global tour has been forced to slow down. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekends scheduled for April will not take place, after the sport ruled it unsafe to race amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The decision leaves a rare gap in the calendar and underlines how global events can halt even the fastest sport on earth.
The announcement came ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai. After weeks of uncertainty, the sport’s governing body, the FIA, confirmed that the races in Sakhir and Jeddah would not go ahead next month.
“While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April,” the FIA said in a statement.
The Bahrain race was set for April 10 to 12 at the Sakhir circuit. A week later, Formula 1 was due to race on the fast street circuit in Jeddah. Now both weekends are off the calendar, reducing the 2025 season to 22 races.
The decision was shaped by the widening conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. Retaliatory attacks in the region raised security fears for teams, staff, and thousands of travelling personnel.
“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” said Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
For the FIA, the message was clear. “The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first,” said president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”
Logistics also played a major role in the call. Formula 1 moves thousands of tonnes of freight across the world between races, and teams rely heavily on air routes through major Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha. When airspace disruptions hit travel plans before the Australian Grand Prix, it became clear the Middle East rounds were under serious threat.
Security concerns around both venues added to the pressure. Bahrain’s capital Manama hosts a major US naval base in Juffair, where many F1 personnel stay during race week. Jeddah has also faced security risks in the past, including a missile strike near an oil facility during the 2022 race weekend.
Formula 1 explored alternatives, including races at Portimao, Imola, Istanbul, and even a second event in Japan. In the end, none proved viable due to time constraints, commercial considerations, and the toll on already stretched team staff.
The unexpected break will now create a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix. Teams may welcome the pause as a rare chance to regroup and analyse the opening races of a season shaped by sweeping new engine regulations.
Those rules, which split power equally between combustion and electrical energy, have already sparked debate inside the paddock. The extended break may allow teams and officials to review their impact before the championship resumes in the United States.
For now, the message from Formula 1 is simple. Racing can wait when safety comes first.
