Formula 1 has indicated it will not seek replacement races if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Bahrain round is scheduled for April 10-12 and the Saudi Arabian race for April 17-19. Both Gulf states were among those struck in recent retaliatory actions tied to wider region tensions, putting the events in serious doubt. Sky Sports News understands a final decision will be made by March 20 at the latest; if the races are called off, they would not be added back elsewhere on the calendar.
Portugal’s Portimão and Italy’s Imola have been mentioned as potential alternatives, but organisers say there would not be enough time to stage replacement events in April. That would reduce the F1 season from 24 rounds to 22 and create a five-week gap between the Japan round (March 27-29) and the Miami Grand Prix (May 1-3).
F1 president Stefano Domenicali said safety is the primary concern for “all relevant stakeholders, people and the promoter itself” and cautioned against making premature statements while the situation evolves. “We want to keep quiet and calm and make sure we have the right time to make the right decision,” he told Sky Sports F1.
The opening Australian Grand Prix weekend has largely proceeded despite the conflict, but teams and organisers have faced logistical headaches. Pirelli cancelled a tyre test in Bahrain that had been due to involve McLaren and Mercedes, and overnight curfew restrictions were lifted in Melbourne because teams experienced difficulties getting personnel and freight into Australia.
Domenicali described the past week as “not been an easy week,” noting many teams had staff and equipment routed through the Gulf. He said organisers worked with governments to reschedule travel and to repatriate people from the region. “People sometimes believe it’s just 30 or 40 people in a team. We have 3000 people who have to move around the world. It’s a big beast,” he added.
If the two Middle East rounds are removed, the revised calendar would leave a notable gap in April but F1 is prioritising safety and logistical feasibility in its decision-making.