F1 issues dreaded statement after Donald Trump – Sports News
Formula 1 has formally canceled two races on its 2026 calendar after escalating tensions within the Middle East spearheaded by Donald Trump pressured the sequence to take what officers described as a obligatory security determination.
The Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which have been scheduled to happen on April 12 and April 19 respectively, will no longer be held this season. The transfer leaves a vital hole within the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
“It has been confirmed today that, after careful evaluations, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” the statement mentioned.
“While a number of alternate options have been thought of, it was finally determined that no substitutions will likely be made in April.”
The cancellations will also affect several junior racing categories that were scheduled to compete alongside Formula 1 during those race weekends. The decision was made in consultation with the FIA, local promoters and racing organizations across the region.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the difficulty of removing two races from the schedule but said safety concerns left the sport with little choice.
“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,” 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,” he said. “We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed those remarks, emphasizing that safety remained the governing body’s top priority.
“The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first,” Ben Sulayem said. “After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”
“We proceed to hope for calm, security and a swift return to stability within the area, and my ideas stay with all these affected by these current occasions,” he mentioned.
With the 2 occasions eliminated, the 2026 Formula 1 season will now characteristic 22 races as a substitute of the initially deliberate 24. The sequence nonetheless expects to return to the Middle East later within the yr with races scheduled in Qatar and Abu Dhabi if situations enable.
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