Formula 1 has confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place as scheduled in April, with the race removed from the 2026 season calendar along with the Bahrain Grand Prix. The announcement, made in a joint statement by Formula 1, the FIA and their respective promoters, marks a significant change to the early portion of the 2026 season and leaves a gap in the calendar that will not be filled by alternative events this month.
Official Statements from F1, FIA and Saudi Promoter
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, described the decision as a difficult but necessary one. “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage,” Domenicali said. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reiterated the federation’s commitment to the safety of its community. “The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first,” Ben Sulayem said. “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.”
HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company, acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans while affirming the strength of the long-term partnership. “Fans across the Kingdom were once again looking forward to the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah this April,” Prince Khalid said. “We understand the considerations behind this decision and remain in close partnership with Formula 1.”
The Jeddah Race and What Was Planned
The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix had been scheduled for April 17 to 19 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which would have marked the fifth time the race was held at the purpose-built street circuit running along the Red Sea waterfront. The event has grown into one of the most visually distinctive rounds on the Formula 1 calendar since its debut in 2021, combining high-speed corners, a challenging layout and nighttime racing under floodlights against the backdrop of the city.
Formula 1 confirmed that no substitution events will replace either the Bahrain or Saudi rounds in April. Support categories including Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy will also not compete during those originally scheduled dates. Formula 1 said the decision was taken after “careful evaluations” and in full consultation with the FIA and both promoters.
Saudi Arabia’s Place in the Formula 1 Calendar
Saudi Arabia has been a fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 2021, making the kingdom one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets and one of the few venues on the circuit capable of drawing both strong local attendance and global broadcast audiences from its location in the Gulf region. The Saudi Motorsport Company, under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, has consistently delivered the infrastructure and hospitality standards Formula 1 requires of its host venues.
Formula 1 and its Saudi partners have expressed a clear mutual intention to reschedule. The language of “as soon as circumstances allow” in both Domenicali’s and Ben Sulayem’s statements signals an expectation on all sides that the Saudi race will return to the calendar, and Saudi Arabia’s established role in the championship’s geography makes the long-term partnership between the two parties robust even in the face of this short-term disruption.
