According to information from Crash.net, Formula 1 is moving closer to cancelling the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

The possibility of cancelling the races has been discussed since the conflict in the Middle East began, but the decision now appears to be approaching an official confirmation. The two events are currently expected to be removed from the calendar without replacement.

Speculation about potential substitute races in Imola, Portugal or even the possibility of holding two rounds in Japan now appears unlikely to materialise. Efforts from Saudi Arabia to keep the race on the calendar also seem to have fallen short.

For Formula 1, the cancellation would mean the number of races this season dropping from the planned 24 to 22. It would also create an unplanned one-month break in the schedule between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix.