The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was set to be held across the weekend of April 17–19, 2026. It would have comprised the fifth round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship. The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was also scheduled for April 12, 2026, at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, as the fourth round of the season. Both races were contracted for the 2026 season.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli would have entered the Bahrain Grand Prix as the leader of the Drivers' Championship, having won the previous race in Suzuka. Holding 72 points, Antonelli led his teammate George Russell by nine points, and third-placed Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by a further fourteen. Mercedes would have entered the round as the leader of the Constructors' Championship. Holding 135 points, they led Ferrari by 45 points, and third-placed McLaren by a further 45 points. These standings are set to carry over to the Miami Grand Prix.
On February 28, 2026, the Iran war broke out following targeted airstrikes by Israel and the United States. In retaliation, Iran launched numerous counterattacks targeting American military bases around the Middle East, including those in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which are host countries to Formula One Grands Prix. Shortly after the conflict began, Pirelli cancelled impending tyre tests at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Following the outbreak of the war, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) monitored the unfolding situation, prioritising the safety of drivers and team members. Earlier in March, the FIA postponed the Qatar 1812 km, the opening race of the World Endurance Championship, to October, hence Imola became the opening round of that season. Though the FIA had explored replacements, including a return to Imola and the recently-contracted Portuguese Grand Prix, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were to be held early in the season, meaning that replacements could not be arranged on short notice. Ultimately, the FIA cancelled both races, citing the safety of personnel as a reason. The Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy races were also cancelled.
Prior to the break, the drivers expressed their concerns about the power unit regulations, particularly when the batteries were undergoing "super clipping", a phenomenon that occurs when the battery is being charged on full throttle against the engine, following a heavy crash at the previous Grand Prix. The FIA, Formula One Management and power unit manufacturers used this subsequent month-long break to hold meetings to discuss where certain regulation changes could be implemented, eventually coming to an agreement that would see these changes debut at the following Miami Grand Prix.
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