The cancellations would leave F1 with a five-week gap in races, with an official announcement expected this weekend

The Formula One calendar will undergo a drastic change as this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the events look set to be cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

It comes after both nations were targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes.

 

An official announcement is expected this weekend.

The races, scheduled for April 12 and April 19, are unlikely to be rescheduled.

The cancellations would leave F1 with a five-week gap in races.

The Japan Grand Prix on March 29 will now end action before restarting with the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.

It is understood that authorities consulted with security agencies in both nations, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and international security bodies before making the decision.

Sources indicate the calendar will be trimmed to 22 events rather than seeking substitutes.

F1

The Formula One calendar will undergo a drastic change as this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will reportedly be cancelled

 | GETTY

The cars and other critical freight to the Gulf were expected to begin transportation in the middle of next week, making this weekend a hard deadline for a decision.

It will be a huge blow for organisers who charge Bahrain up to £40million to host their event and Saudi Arabia around £60million annually.

The authorities are also understood to be drawing up contingencies for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, further complicating the calendar.

These races are scheduled for the concluding two rounds at the end of November and the start of December, which may be critical to the championship’s outcome.

F1 facts

F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS

Earlier this week, Hamilton, who finished fourth in the season opener in Australia, backed the authorities to make the “right” move ahead of calls to cancel the races.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Hamilton said: “I know that (F1 CEO) Stefano (Domenicali) will do what is right for all of us and the sport.

“That is the great thing with having a great leader like him.”

The last race weekend before the five-week race has kicked off today, with George Russell delivering a commanding performance in sprint qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton previously backed the authorities to make the ‘right’ move

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The British driver claimed his maiden sprint pole position with a lap of 1:31.520 seconds.

Fresh from victory at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix opener, Russell topped every segment of the shortened qualifying format.

His Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli secured second place, finishing 0.289 seconds adrift to complete an all-Silver Arrows front row.

Russell’s dominance mirrored his Melbourne form, where he held a three-tenths advantage over the Italian rookie.