By Ben Langley
As a new season of Formula 1 gets underway this weekend in Melbourne, there is already growing doubt that future races will go ahead. The crisis across the Middle East has cast huge doubt that next month’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held. Following the death of Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Khamenei by US-Israel airstrikes, the conflict has escalated across the region. Numerous countries neighbouring Iran, including Bahrain, have been struck by missiles which has led to an airspace closure across the region.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were scheduled to host races next month, but there is an increasing inevitability that these races will be cancelled. With the airspace around the Middle East closed, it becomes an impossible task for Formula 1 freight to be distributed into these two countries. As well as restricted airspace, sea freight has also been affected by the crisis. The main port for sea freight is through the Red Sea which borders Saudi Arabia. However, the constant bombardments in the area makes this route very unsafe and so freight distribution wouldn’t be possible. But even if all the equipment to allow Formula 1 to run made it to the circuits, the safety of all personnel isn’t a guarantee at this moment.
It was announced this week by the FIA that the season-opening WEC race was cancelled in Qatar due to the crisis, which adds further doubt over Formula 1’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. If the Middle East double-header didn’t take place, it would leave the whole month of April with no racing. The potential to move the two races later in the year wouldn’t be possible due to the congestive nature of the 2026 calendar. Therefore, if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia couldn’t host next month, then they would not be held at all this year.
There were rumours that there could be two replacements if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled. Imola and Portimao were touted as potential fill-ins next month. Imola was dropped from this year’s calendar after featuring numerous times since its long-awaited return in 2020. Portimao will return to F1’s schedule in 2027 but has not hosted a race since 2021. However, it was recently confirmed that there wouldn’t be any replacements if the Middle East double-header didn’t go ahead. A decision on whether Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will go ahead will be made by March 20th. Despite the willing to go racing, the safety of Formula 1 personnel is the key priority. It will be interesting to see what decision is made.
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