F1 bosses confirmed in mid-March that due to the current situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April. Although several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that these races would not be replaced by others.
Ultimately, this means a gap in the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix held from March 27–29 and the Miami Grand Prix, which will take place from May 1–3.
Despite this gap, April unofficially brings some F1 action, starting with Pirelli’s two-day test at the Suzuka circuit this week.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls ran on Tuesday (the last day of March) and Wednesday (the first day of April), with Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad in the cars.
A wet tire test with Ferrari is also scheduled at Fiorano on April 9–10, before Mercedes and McLaren head to the Nürburgring—which last hosted an F1 race in 2020—for a planned dry tire test from April 14–15.
Next for the teams after these tests is a trip to the Miami circuit, where the 2026 season officially resumes with free practice on Friday, May 1.