LONDON: The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix are unlikely to be replaced on what would become a 22-race Formula One calendar if, as now looks probable, they are cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Multiple senior sources in the F1 paddock told Reuters on Friday that reducing the world championship from a scheduled 24 rounds was the most probable outcome.

Bahrain’s floodlit race at the Sakhir circuit to the south of Manama is scheduled for April 12 with the Saudi race in Jeddah due on the following weekend. MotoGP is also due to race at Qatar’s Lusail circuit near Doha on April 12 and has said that date looks very difficult for them to fulfil, with the round unlikely to move to another venue.

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) round in Doha on March 26-28 has been postponed. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain’s capital Manama have been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones, with a hotel hit in the latter city, after US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Major airports in the region remain closed.

Rescheduling the Formula One races for the same venues later in the year would be extremely difficult since temperatures are much higher in the region through the European summer and autumn.

There is also an absence of obvious slots, with Formula One keen to maintain its Aug­ust break and relieve the burden on teams.

Although a number of circuits have been mooted in the media as possible replacements — Italy’s Imola, France’s Le Castellet and Portugal’s Portimao as well as Turkey’s Istanbul Park — the practical reality of shifting the circus at short notice makes it a major logistical challenge.

There would also be little incentive for promoters and a limited window to sell tickets to cover the hosting fees while organising marshals, security and transport takes time.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2026