Cancelled Bahrain and Saudi F1 races could return in revised 2026 schedule

April 14, 2026 Oliver Obel

Formula 1’s 2026 calendar may not be settled just yet, with new claims suggesting that two cancelled Middle East races could still be added back later in the season.

Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos says there are ongoing discussions about a possible reshuffle. Speaking to Ziggo Sport’s De Stamtafel, he indicated that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah could be moved to December, which would likely force changes to the current season finale.

“I heard something else,” Doornbos said. “We know Aramco as the sponsor of Formula 1. They are promoting the event in Jeddah enormously, because that is their gem. Jeddah could yet come back to the calendar this year.”

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were originally scheduled for April 12 and April 19 but were cancelled earlier this year amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran, as previously reported by SPORTbible. Their removal created an unusual five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami race on May 3.

For now, the cancellations have reduced the calendar from a planned 24 races to 22, although that number could change if a revised schedule is approved.

Doornbos claims that one proposal under consideration would see Abu Dhabi’s traditional season-ending race pushed back by a week to make room for Jeddah.

“They now say that they are moving Abu Dhabi by a week and that they are slotting Jeddah in between,” he said. “That means you finish the season with four races in a row – Las Vegas, Qatar, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi.”

Such a sequence would create an intense finish to the season, with teams facing increased travel demands and limited recovery time during a crucial stage of the championship battle.

Doornbos also said Abu Dhabi’s role as the final race of the season is likely protected by contract, meaning any changes would still keep it as the closing round.

Formula 1 previously said the races were cancelled after “careful evaluation due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” but did not confirm whether they could be rescheduled later in the year.

For now, the calendar remains unchanged, but the possibility of a late-season reshuffle leaves teams and fans waiting for clarity as the championship unfolds.

Sources: SPORTbible, Ziggo Sport