SHANGHAI (AP) - Formula 1 and its governing body, the FIA, have announced that the Grand Prix races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April will not take place due to safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. This decision comes in the wake of escalating tensions following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, prompting worries about the security of both race locations.

The announcement was made early Sunday morning in Shanghai, prior to the Chinese Grand Prix. F1 stated, “Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April." The organization noted that several alternatives were considered; however, it was ultimately decided there would be no substitutions made for the April dates.

Bahrain was scheduled to host its race on April 12, followed by the race in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah on April 19. Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1, emphasized the weight of the decision, stating, “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.” The FIA echoed these sentiments, affirming their commitment to the safety and well-being of the racing community, and highlighting that no replacements would be organized for these events.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem remarked that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia hold significant importance in the F1 calendar and expressed hope for a return to these venues when circumstances allow. Despite the cancellation of the races, the FIA did not rule out the possibility of rescheduling, avoiding terms like “cancel” or “postpone” in the statement regarding the absence of these races in April.

The promoters of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races have voiced their support for the FIA's decision. The current F1 schedule is densely packed, and with the cancellation of these two races, there will now be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the next race in Miami on May 3. Without any rescheduling, this will mark the shortest F1 season since 2023.

F1 faced significant pressure to make an early decision regarding the Middle East races, primarily due to logistical challenges, including the need to transport staff and cargo to venues weeks in advance. Ticket sales also posed challenges, complicating the feasibility of organizing a last-minute replacement race in another country.

Kimi Antonelli, a Mercedes driver who earned pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, expressed his support for prioritizing safety, highlighting his thoughts with those affected by the situation. The teams suggested they would trust the guidance of the FIA and F1 in navigating these circumstances, reinforcing the importance of safety in race operations.

Previously, Bahrain had hosted two preseason F1 tests, and a smaller-scale tire test was canceled following the recent military strikes against Iran. Additionally, a travel shutdown impacting major Middle Eastern airports caused turmoil for many European-based F1 teams heading to Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

The last time a scheduled F1 race was canceled was in 2023, when the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was called off due to severe flooding in the region. In contrast, during the 2022 season, F1 continued its event in Saudi Arabia despite missile attacks in the vicinity. The organization also ceased its contract with the Russian Grand Prix following Russia's invasion of Ukraine that same year.