While there had been hopes of a rescheduled Bahrain GP in early October, GPblog has learned it is is no longer an option for Formula 1 due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

As this website reported, Formula One Management (FOM) and the F1 teams had discussed the 2026 calendar last week, which had been upended due to the war in the Middle East. Then, it appeared that a race in Bahrain could still take place following the apparent easing of tensions between the United States and Iran.

That race was supposed to be held on the first weekend of October, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. However, an announcement, expected by the F1 teams in the week leading up to the Belgian Grand Prix, never arrived as hostilities in the area resumed.

This past weekend, F1's teams were subsequently told that there will be no race in Bahrain, with conflict in the Middle East flaring up again, and no certainty that there will be peace by early October.

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso has said his F1 future will not be decided by the upgrades Aston Martin plan to implement at the Hungarian GP this weekend, but rather the direction the sport takes with the current regulations.

After another miserable weekend for Aston Martin at the Belgian GP this past weekend, with Alonso the last driver to cross the line in P19, the Silverstone-based team are set to introduce a significant upgrade package in Budapest, having opted against smaller, incremental changes to turn the tide in their campaign.

With Alonso turning 45 in just over a week, the two-time world champion has stressed that any decision he makes regarding his F1 future, which is expected to made during F1's summer break after the Hungarian GP, will be more influenced by the current set of regulations.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, at Spa, Alonso was asked how important the upcoming upgrades will be. "Nothing," he replied. "Nothing because my decision is not about the performance of this year. This year we started on the wrong foot.

Highlighting the 2026 cars' performance on energy-starved circuits such as Spa and Silverstone in recent weeks, Alonso instead said: “My decision for next year is more about the rules. Driving these cars in places like Spa or Silverstone last race is not what I'm dreaming of for my future. So we'll see.”

There was, however, some good news for Alonso this weekend - coming in the shape of Spain's World Cup final victory over Argentina. The Aston Martin driver was thrilled, writing on social media: "What a team. So well deserved. Congratulations, Spain. The best.".

Alonso's compatriot on the grid, Williams' Carlos Sainz, also wrote on Instagram: "What madness!! Come on, Spain! Thank you for letting us enjoy an incredible World Cup. Champions!".