The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not be held in April due to the situation in the Middle East, and both events will be removed from the calendar.
According to Formula 1, various alternatives were considered before it was decided that there would be no substitute races in April. The Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy events scheduled to take place over these weekends will also not be held.
Formula 1 said it consulted with the FIA and both event promoters before making its decision.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said it was not an easy decision to make, but it was the correct one at this time given the circumstances. He thanked both parties involved and said he hopes Formula 1 will be able to return to both countries when the time is right.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said safety and well-being came first. He said he hopes things will go back to normal in the region and that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will once again be a big part of the Formula 1 calendar.
The decision not to hold the Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia was supported by both countries.
Sheikh Salman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive of Bahrain International Circuit, said Bahrain supports the decision and is looking forward to welcoming fans back when Formula 1 returns. HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company, said officials in Saudi Arabia respect the decision and will be working closely with Formula 1.
There will be no substitute races in April, and both Formula 1 weekends and their support events will not be featured.
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