F1’s fears of ‘undeserving’ title winner may ensure Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races are not revived

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Formula 1 is unlikely to reschedule the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix for later in the 2026 season to avoid potentially distorting the drivers’ championship title fight.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were set to hold rounds four and five of the original 2026 calendar this April. But the situation in the Middle East forced F1 to cancel the races, as the series did not think it was possible to reschedule either round for later in an already packed schedule.

However, since cancelling the Bahrain Grand Prix (originally planned for April 10-12) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (initially scheduled for April 17-19), suggestions have emerged that Formula 1 could yet revive at least one of the rounds to hold a 23-race calendar this season.

It has been said that F1 could reschedule the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian rounds for October if the situation in the Middle East is resolved by the summer. F1 is also thought to see the gap between the rounds in Singapore (October 9-11) and Austin (October 23-25) as a possibility.

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F1 fears crowning an ‘undeserving’ champion by rescheduling the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The summer heat in the Middle East immediately ruled out F1 staging rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the hottest part of the year. Rescheduling either race for the end of the term would also create a run of four race weekends in a row due to the two triple headers slated.

READ MORE: F1 teams have already rejected a proposal to reschedule the Saudi Arabian GP

But on top of the weather conditions and the safety implications, the Daily Mail reports that F1 is unlikely to reschedule either the Bahrain GP or the Saudi Arabian GP to avoid distorting the F1 drivers’ championship fight. F1 does not want to artificially inject a further 50 points.

Formula 1 chiefs are reluctant to alter the 2026 calendar again, as it could influence the title fight at a crucial point. The extra 50 points that two additional Grands Prix would offer could run the risk of Formula 1 crowning an ‘undeserving’ winner if they are added at a late stage.

Mercedes duo Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell currently sit first and second in the F1 drivers’ standings after the first three rounds of 2026, with 72 and 63 points respectively. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton lead the chasing pack with 49 and 41 points.

Also, with the changes to the 2026 F1 regulations coming in Miami already carrying the risk of F1 changing the pecking order, or at least reducing Mercedes’ dominance, adding back a race in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, or both, may be viewed as manipulating the championship.