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Bahrain GP in doubt, Saudi Arabia still trying to keep race
Formula 1 is preparing for the possible cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix due to the escalating conflict in the Gulf region. While the race in Sakhir is increasingly unlikely to take place, promoters in Saudi Arabia are reportedly still trying to save the Jeddah event.
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Formula 1 could face significant changes to its April calendar as tensions in the Gulf region continue to escalate. The Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 12 April at the Sakhir circuit, is now considered highly unlikely to go ahead if the security situation does not improve.
According to information circulating in the paddock, the current baseline scenario being discussed within the sport is that the Bahrain race would be cancelled if regional stability does not return in time.
Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against several targets across the region in recent days. Among the reported strikes were locations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, including the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in Manama and an Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia. The latter has particular relevance for Formula 1, as Aramco is a major partner of the championship and a key sponsor of Aston Martin.
Logistics are another major factor. All freight for the April double-header is scheduled to be transported to Bahrain first before moving on to Saudi Arabia. If the Bahrain event cannot take place, it would significantly complicate the transport of equipment for the following race in Jeddah.
A recent Pirelli tyre test planned in Bahrain was also cancelled due to security concerns, highlighting the challenges currently facing organisers.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Bahrain, organisers in Saudi Arabia are reportedly still pushing for their race to go ahead. According to RacingNews365, efforts are being made to keep the Jeddah Grand Prix on the calendar if the situation allows.
The situation has already become a topic of conversation within the paddock. After the Australian Grand Prix, Isack Hadjar and Kimi Antonelli were reportedly overheard discussing the situation on a flight from Melbourne to Shanghai, with Hadjar joking that Antonelli might now have “two fewer races to win”.
If both races were cancelled, the championship calendar would drop from 24 to 22 events and create a five-week gap between Suzuka and Miami. Some speculative ideas have appeared in the paddock, including the possibility of staging two races in Suzuka, but there is currently no indication that Formula 1 plans to organise replacement events.
At the moment, the most likely scenario appears to be that Bahrain may be cancelled, while Saudi Arabia is still trying to keep its race on the schedule, meaning the final shape of the early-season calendar remains uncertain.
