\n<\/p>\n
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix that were scheduled for next month are set to be cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.<\/b><\/p>\n
A formal decision to call off the races has not yet been made but is expected before the end of the weekend.<\/p>\n
Freight would need to start being shipped to the Middle East in the coming days. With no sign of the conflict between the US\/Israel and Iran coming to a conclusion, holding the races would put personnel at too great a risk.<\/p>\n
Neither event will be replaced, with the season being cut to 22 grands prix and F1 taking a commercial hit of more than \u00a3100m, given Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the highest hosting fees.<\/p>\n
The race in Bahrain was scheduled to be on 12 April with Jeddah the following weekend.<\/p>\n
Consideration was given to holding events at Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy or Istanbul Park in Turkey.<\/p>\n
But it was accepted that the time to organise a race at any of those locations was too short, and there was little chance of securing a hosting fee.<\/p>\n
The decision will mean there is a five-week break after the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March and Miami on 3 May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n