F1 to decide on restoring Bahrain Grand Prix before break

Formula 1 is working to reinstate one of its cancelled Middle Eastern races to the 2026 calendar, with a final decision required before the sport's summer break later this month. The move follows the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April due to regional instability stemming from the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

In an interview, Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed hope that at least one of the races could be restored, pending the right conditions. He stated that any announcement would need to come before the summer break, which begins after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, due to the significant logistical preparations required. Domenicali emphasized that the sport's duty is to be ready to run its planned calendar, adding that successfully holding the races would send a positive message for sport and politics, signaling that recent troubles could be put behind them.

While Domenicali did not specify which race would return, subsequent reporting indicates the Bahrain Grand Prix is the leading candidate. The proposed slot for the event is the weekend of October 2-4, fitting into the existing one-week...