The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races will be canceled amid the Middle East war

Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled to take place next month are set to be canceled as a result of the war in the Middle East.

An official decision to cancel the races has not yet been made, but it is expected to happen before the end of the weekend.

Shipping of goods to the Middle East should begin in the coming days. With the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran showing no sign of ending, holding the races would expose individuals to too great a risk.

Neither event will be replaced, with the season reduced to 22 grands prix and Formula 1 a commercial success of more than £100m, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia paying two of the highest hosting fees.

The race was scheduled to take place in Bahrain on April 12, with Jeddah the following weekend.

Consideration has been given to holding events in Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy, or Istanbul Park in Türkiye.

But it was accepted that the time needed to organize the race at any of those locations was very short, and there was little chance of securing a hosting fee.

The decision means there will be a five-week break between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.