FIA announce two new races to replace cancelled Bahrain and Saudi GPs | F1 | Sport

The FIA has confirmed that the cancelled Formula 2 races that were due to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month have been replaced. For the first time ever, the top-class feeder series to Formula 1 will serve as a support event at the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix in May, to take the now-revised race calendar back up to 14 rounds in 2026.

War in the Middle East immediately put the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races, due to take place in April, under threat. It was soon confirmed that both events had been cancelled and, while alternative venues were considered for F1, the decision was made not to replace either race and shorten the season calendar to 22 rounds. However, a different approach has been taken for F2.

The logistical challenge meant it was deemed to be too much of an undertaking to completely organise new F1 events from scratch with just a few weeks’ notice. It has been a more simple process, though, to organise new F2 events as infrastructure will already be in place at the upcoming F1 races in Miami and Montreal.

It has now been confirmed that F2 has been added to the support bill for the Miami Grand Prix, taking place on the first weekend of May. Three weeks later, F2 cars will also be on track at the Canadian Grand Prix, before the return to Europe for the Monaco weekend in early June which will now, as originally planned, be round four of the season.

FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem said: “Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, the addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 Championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans.

“Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula 1 and connecting with new audiences. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible.”

And F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali added: “While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, it is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal.

“Bruno [Michel, F2 CEO] and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season.”

Nikola Tsolov of Bulgaria is the early championship leader after the first round thanks to his win in the Melbourne feature race in March, despite having failed to score a point in the sprint race a day earlier. John Bennett and Cian Shields, the two driver representing Great Britain on the F2 grid this year, did not score a point in Australia.