Formula 1 has officially cancelled the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix from their scheduled April slots due to ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.
The sport’s leadership and the FIA determined that the safety of teams, staff and fans could not be guaranteed amidst regional instability.
Initial hopes of moving the two events to the end of the year have faded as the conflict persists.
This unprecedented decision reduces the 2026 calendar from a record-breaking 24 rounds to 22.
A massive gap in the schedule
The cancellation has created a five-week hiatus in the racing calendar throughout April.
The championship paused after the Japanese Grand Prix and will only resume with the Miami Grand Prix this weekend.
Officials decided against finding replacement venues for the vacant spring slots.
The logistical nightmare of organising a race on short notice was avoided, which has helped ease the travel burden on team personnel.
Safety remains the priority
Stefano Domenicali, the sport’s chief executive, acknowledged the difficulty of losing two established early-season pillars.
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.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the governing body, echoed these sentiments regarding the protection of the motorsport community.
The FIA will always place the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first.
He added his hopes for a swift return to regional stability and offered his thoughts to all those affected by recent events.
Future prospects in the Middle East
Domenicali confirmed that the premier motorsport category intends to return to both countries as soon as circumstances allow.
The schedule for the 2027 season is expected to be released in June or later.
Despite the loss of these two events, the current season finale is still scheduled to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the only practice session for the Miami Grand Prix as championship leaders Mercedes encountered significant power unit issues.
The Monegasque driver capitalised on a heavily upgraded car to beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.297 seconds on Formula 1’s return to action.
Oscar Piastri secured third place, though his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris showed competitive pace before traffic compromised his flying lap.
Lewis Hamilton finished almost half a second adrift of Leclerc, trailing his new colleague throughout the 90-minute session.
Mercedes dominant start under threat
The Brackley-based squad have won the opening three races of the 2026 season and arrived in Florida unbeaten in competitive sessions.
However, they have brought minimal upgrades compared to the substantial new floors introduced by McLaren, Red Bull, and the Scuderia.
Their primary concern will be the mechanical gremlins that severely restricted track time for both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
“It sounds like a steam train.”
That was Russell’s radio message as he reported a strange noise from his engine, while his Italian partner failed to complete a crucial soft-tyre run entirely.
Antonelli defends championship lead
The teenage sensation currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, holding a nine-point advantage over his more experienced team-mate.
With Sprint Qualifying scheduled for Friday evening, the Silver Arrows face an urgent battle to resolve their reliability concerns.
The early indications suggest they may no longer possess the outright fastest machinery on the Miami International Autodrome.
Lewis Hamilton is hoping for an improved performance at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix as Formula 1 returns following an unexpected five-week hiatus.
The 2026 season resumes in Florida after the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Teams have not raced competitively since the Japanese Grand Prix in late March.
Heavy rainfall is forecast to hit the circuit this weekend, threatening to replicate the chaotic conditions seen at the event last year.
Past frustrations and team orders
The previous iteration of the Miami race was heavily disrupted by torrential downpours, leading to the complete abandonment of the F1 Academy support event.
While the main grand prix eventually went ahead, the British driver endured a frustrating afternoon on his way to an eighth-place finish.
Tensions flared over team radio when Ferrari initially instructed him to hold position behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The veteran racer sarcastically suggested his strategists could have a tea break while delaying the call to let him pass the Monegasque driver.
Seeking a smoother resumption
Speaking to the media following that race, he clarified that his comments were born out of a desire for swift, concise decision-making.
“I’m sure people didn’t like certain comments but you’ve got to understand it was frustrating, people say way worse things than what I say.”
“Let’s not get emotional about it. We’re here to race, we’re not where we want to be.”
The remainder of that campaign proved difficult for the former Mercedes man, who failed to secure another podium finish all year.
However, the current 2026 campaign has started more positively, with a recent third-place finish in China providing optimism for the Scuderia.
The estates of two pilots killed alongside former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle have filed wrongful death lawsuits seeking a combined $15m each in damages over December’s fatal plane crash in North Carolina.
Dennis Dutton and his son Jack died alongside the 55-year-old racing star, his wife Cristina, and their two children when their Cessna 500 Citation II crashed on 18 December.
The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport, bursting into flames about a third of a mile from the runway.
Legal filings submitted earlier this week allege the motorsport champion, who owned the jet, failed to ensure his aircraft was properly maintained.
Maintenance and cockpit experience questioned
A preliminary investigation previously revealed the plane’s altimeter was providing incorrect readings prior to the fatal descent.
It also indicated that the elder pilot had handed control over to his son shortly before the tragic impact.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted the younger aviator was seated in the copilot position at the time of the accident.
Crucially, neither the son nor the former stock car racer possessed the required endorsements on their pilot licenses to serve as a copilot for that specific aircraft type.
Awaiting final investigation findings
Former aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti believes this lack of an experienced copilot may have been a critical factor in the disaster.
The NTSB continues its thorough investigation into the incident and has not yet published a conclusive final report.
The driver involved was a highly decorated figure in American motorsport, securing more than 50 victories across the sport’s three national divisions.
A celebrated racing career
He claimed the Truck Series championship in 2000 before adding the Xfinity Series title to his resume two years later.
During his peak years, the veteran competitor accumulated 19 wins at the premier Cup Series level.
Beyond the track, he was recently honoured for his humanitarian work following Hurricane Helene.
The former champion used his personal helicopter to deliver essential aid to flooded and isolated communities in western North Carolina late last year.
Formula 1 faces the threat of a third consecutive race cancellation as severe weather and strict United States safety laws jeopardize Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
The sport returns this weekend following an unexpected five-week break prompted by the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.
However, heavy rain and potential thunderstorms threaten to disrupt the highly anticipated 2026 event at the Miami International Autodrome.
Forecasters currently predict an 88% chance of rainfall during the race, accompanied by a 53% probability of lightning strikes.
Strict safety protocols risk race suspension
These ominous weather conditions have placed teams, drivers and the governing body on high alert ahead of the weekend.
Unlike many other host nations, US legislation mandates that outdoor public events must be halted if thunderstorms approach and pose a lightning risk.
Such treacherous conditions would inevitably ground the mandatory medical helicopter and force a complete evacuation of all spectators from the venue.
Should thunderstorms materialise, race officials will display the red flag and immediately recall all cars to their respective garages.
FIA regulations dictate clear restart procedures
The sport’s governing body previously reminded competitors that stewards possess the authority to suspend sessions to allow personnel to seek shelter safely.
Under Article 57 of the sporting regulations, a red-flag scenario requires all vehicles to stop in the fast lane before being wheeled inside.
Florida is notoriously susceptible to unpredictable and intense weather fluctuations, though current projections suggest dry running across Friday and Saturday.
If the grand prix is suspended, the race director must publish a new restart order at least 18 minutes before action can resume on track.
Max Verstappen has given his full blessing to race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase’s upcoming departure from Red Bull to McLaren, insisting he would be an “idiot” to block the career move.
Red Bull confirmed earlier this month that their highly rated technical specialist will leave the team when his current contract expires in 2028.
The announcement arrived shortly after it emerged the engineer had decided to pursue a fresh opportunity with their Formula 1 rivals.
A significant shift in stance
The three-time world champion had previously indicated he would have no appetite for racing if his trusted confidant was no longer communicating over the team radio.
Following his maiden title triumph in 2021, the Dutchman famously declared that he would retire from the sport as soon as his engineer stepped away.
However, the 27-year-old has significantly mellowed his position and acknowledges that circumstances have evolved since that initial declaration.
“I will have to work with someone else, but I think times change, and the offer that he got, I would be an idiot to try and keep him,” Verstappen told reporters.
Looking toward the future
Lambiase has been a valued member of the reigning constructors’ champions since joining in 2015, forging a famously direct working relationship with his driver.
McLaren have already praised their future signing as a top talent, while Red Bull remain committed to securing further championships before the eventual separation.
The current championship leader stressed that an open dialogue within the team made processing the transition incredibly straightforward.
“It’s not only about me all the time, it is also about his career and moving forward, so for me, it was a no-brainer to be honest,” he explained.
Long-term commitment unaffected
The Red Bull star noted that the pair maintain an honest relationship and that there are absolutely no hard feelings regarding the transfer.
When questioned on whether this high-profile technical departure impacts his own long-term future with his current employers, the driver was unequivocal.
“It has got nothing to do with it,” Verstappen stated firmly.
George Russell has dismissed the significance of Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli’s early Formula 1 championship lead ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian currently holds a nine-point advantage over his British counterpart heading into the fourth round of the 2026 season.
Antonelli recently became the youngest championship leader in the sport’s history and is chasing a hat-trick of race victories in Florida.
However, Russell insists the internal dynamic at the Silver Arrows remains unchanged despite his younger colleague’s impressive sophomore campaign.
Marathon mindset for Mercedes
The 28-year-old driver compared the grueling length of the modern Formula 1 calendar to the London Marathon when questioned about the current standings.
“The guy who’s running the London Marathon, after three miles, you’re not thinking about the finish line, because you’ve got 23 miles to go.”
Russell was eager to point out that the championship battle is still in its absolute infancy.
“We’re in race four, so it’s not even a consideration, although of course he’s done an amazing job so far this year.”
The former Williams racer suffered misfortune in the previous round but pointed to solid recovery drives, including a second-place finish in China and a fourth-place result in Japan.
Development race heats up
The British driver remains confident that a smooth weekend will yield a race victory very soon.
“You’re always going to have these difficult weekends, but I hope every difficult weekend results in either P2 or P4.”
Meanwhile, the Brackley-based squad are taking a distinctly different approach to car upgrades following a five-week break in the calendar.
While rivals Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have brought major new parts to the United States, Mercedes will split their crucial developments across the upcoming double-header.
Lewis Hamilton has declared himself “fired up” for the resumption of the 2026 Formula 1 season as Ferrari aim to close the performance gap to championship leaders Mercedes at the Miami Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion returns to the track this weekend following an enforced April break.
Ferrari currently sit second in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing their Brackley-based rivals.
Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc occupy fourth and third respectively in the drivers’ standings, behind the Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
A tall order to catch the Silver Arrows
The Italian marquee had shown promising signs during the opening three races of the new regulatory era.
However, the British veteran acknowledges the immense challenge of overhauling the current pace-setters.
Hamilton believes his team is facing a power deficit compared to both Mercedes and the new Red Bull-Ford power unit.
“Everyone’s had more of an intense time to work on refining the car,” said Hamilton.
“Just feel fired up for the second stab at it.”
Upgrades crucial for development race
Most teams are expected to introduce significant aerodynamic upgrades when practice begins in Florida on Friday.
The Scuderia are also banking on potential engine development opportunities in the upcoming additional upgrade window.
Despite acknowledging the factory’s relentless effort during the spring break, the former Mercedes driver remains realistic about the speed of progress.
“I’m really grateful for all the hard work. I’ve been back at the factory every week during this break and seeing how hard the team has been working in bringing an upgrade,” he explained.
“To close that gap, that means we have to do double that development each time of others, which is a really tall order.”
“You have to assume everyone’s developing at a similar sort of rate because it’s new rules, so if a team brings a tenth, we need to bring two.”