April 2026 has been a rough month for Formula 1, for both drivers and fans. The sport has dealt with a series of disruptions, including multiple Grand Prix cancellations, a tax investigation involving several drivers, and growing uncertainty surrounding one of its biggest stars.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for April 12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 19. However, due to political tension in the Middle East, concerns were raised about the safety of hosting races in the region.
Ultimately, Formula 1 made the decision to cancel both events.
That leaves a significant gap in the schedule. The previous race took place on March 29, and the next is set for May 3 in Miami, leaving April without a single Grand Prix.
The last time a race was canceled was in 2023, when the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was called off due to flooding.
Even without racing, F1 hasn’t been short on headlines. Italy has launched a financial investigation into drivers who have competed in races within the country.
Under Italian law, drivers are required to report income earned while in the country, including race winnings and sponsorship-related revenue. Authorities have raised concerns about whether proper taxes were paid and are reviewing records dating back to 2020.
Violations could result in fines or more serious penalties, though no specific drivers have been named at this time.
Frustration has also started to surface among drivers. Following the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, four-time champion Max Verstappen voiced concerns about the direction of the sport, suggesting he could step away at the end of the season to pursue other racing opportunities.
The comments quickly drew attention across the F1 community. Verstappen is widely viewed as one of racing’s defining figures, and his potential departure would be significant. On April 22, fellow driver Lando Norris said it would be a “miss for the sport,” adding that Verstappen is “one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula One.”
As it stands, Verstappen sits ninth in the standings with 12 points.
With a strange April behind it, F1 now turns to May, beginning with the Miami Grand Prix on May 3 before heading to Canada later in the month for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Miami marks the return to racing after a five-week break, and the early-season storyline is clear. Mercedes has set the pace, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli combining for three straight wins to open the year. Ferrari and McLaren are expected to bring upgrades into the weekend, which could tighten things up on a track that already tends to produce plenty of action.
The Miami circuit, with its mix of long straights, tight corners, and unforgiving walls, usually creates opportunities, and with a sprint format in play, there should be no shortage of excitement. Russell and Antonelli enter as the clear favorites, both at +145 to win, but Verstappen at +3500 remains a threat despite the slow start and offers real value. If the upgrades from the chasing teams land, we could see the first real shakeup of the season.
After a quiet April, May should give a much clearer picture of where this season is headed.
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