Formula 1 has indicated it will not look for replacement dates if the Bahrain (April 10-12) and Saudi Arabian (April 17-19) Grands Prix are cancelled because of ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Both Gulf states were struck in recent retaliatory actions linked to broader regional tensions, leaving the two events in doubt.
Sky Sports News reports a final decision will be made by March 20 at the latest, and organisers say cancelled races would not be rescheduled elsewhere. Portugal’s Portimão and Italy’s Imola were mentioned as possible alternatives, but officials say there is insufficient time to stage replacement events in April. That scenario would reduce the 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 emphasised that safety is the paramount concern for all stakeholders and urged caution 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 largely proceeded despite the conflict, but teams and organisers faced logistical headaches. Pirelli cancelled a tyre test in Bahrain that had been due to involve McLaren and Mercedes, and Melbourne briefly relaxed overnight curfew restrictions after teams experienced difficulties getting personnel and freight into Australia.
Domenicali described the past week as “not been an easy week,” noting that many teams route staff and equipment through the Gulf. Organisers worked with governments to reschedule travel and repatriate people. “People sometimes believe it’s just 30 or 40 people in a team. We have 3,000 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 significant April gap, but F1 says safety and logistical feasibility will determine the final decision.