Formula One bosses have not yet made a final decision on rescheduling the Bahrain Grand Prix for later in the 2026 season, according to Express Sport. The original race was scheduled for early April as the fourth round of the championship but was cancelled after the outbreak of war in the Middle East, following Iran's retaliatory strikes on American military bases in the Gulf region.
Rescheduling options under review
It had been reported that F1 bosses were considering moving the event to October to avoid losing the race entirely. However, Express Sport understands that no final decision has been made, contradicting claims that the rescheduling plan had been abandoned. Optimism about finding a new slot had grown after hostilities between the United States and Iran appeared to cool, but military action has since resumed, complicating the situation.
Long-term calendar commitment
Four years ago, organisers agreed a long-term extension to keep the Bahrain Grand Prix on the F1 calendar until at least 2036. If rescheduling for later this year proves impossible, the race is almost certain to return in 2027.
Potential impact on other races
The conflict could also affect the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, scheduled for the end of the season. According to GPBlog, replacement events could be staged at Portimao and Baku if those races are cancelled. However, F1 is expected to delay decisions as long as possible, and racing in Qatar and Saudi Arabia later in the campaign remains a possibility.
