Formula 1 may not substitute the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix if they’re cancelled due to the continued conflict within the Middle East.
The races in Bahrain on April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia on April 17-19 are in severe doubt as each international locations are among the many Gulf states to have been struck by Iran in retaliation to US-Israeli air strikes amid the escalating conflict within the area this month.
Sky Sports News understands a call on whether or not to cancel the 2 races will be made by March 20 on the newest and, ought to they not happen, the rounds would not be replaced.
Portugal’s Portimato and Italy’s Imola circuits have been mooted as doable replacements however there would not be sufficient time to organise the occasions for April.
It means the F1 calendar would drop from 24 rounds to 22, leaving a five-week hole within the calendar between the third spherical of the season in Japan on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3.
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“First of all, our approach first of all is safety for all of the relevant stakeholders, people and the promoter itself,” F1 president Stefano Domenicali informed Sky Sports F1.
“We don’t desire to do any assertion immediately as a result of issues are evolving and we nonetheless have time to make the best choice. This choice will be taken collectively.
“So far, we want to keep quiet and calm and make sure we have the right time to make the right decision – as we did in the past.”
Team bosses to talk about Middle East conflict
Domenicali will meet with F1’s staff bosses on Saturday in Melbourne to talk about a variety of subjects, together with the probability of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races being cancelled.
“It’s the first get-together of all the teams. There’s been very little communication about it yet because of the effort that it took just to get here to Australia,” stated McLaren chief government Zak Brown.
“Obviously, the sport, ourselves, the fans, the partners, our race team, all that will be of the utmost importance from a safety point of view. We’ll just have to see how things play out and we’ll make the right decision for the health of everybody involved in the sport.”
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Highlights from Friday’s follow classes on the Australian Grand Prix
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff added: “First of all, Formula 1 in a way becomes the second priority. It’s such an important topic in the region that it’s even quite difficult, I guess, to talk to the local leaders and say: ‘What about the Grand Prix?’.
“I feel that is up to Stefano as a promoter and the FIA to handle that scenario whereas respecting the present challenges that they’ve. My hunch is I might very a lot hope we race. Is it real looking that we race there in the mean time?
“I’m not quite sure. But again, I leave it to Stefano to manage that situation. I hope generally it gets better there so we are able to come back as soon as possible.”
Domenicali: Not been a straightforward week
This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix has largely obtained underneath approach unaffected by the Middle East conflict however there have been logistical challenges since a number of personnel had been initially due to fly from Europe to Australia by way of the Gulf area.
Pirelli cancelled a tyre take a look at in Bahrain final weekend which was set to contain McLaren and Mercedes, whereas curfew restrictions to cease groups working in a single day have been scrapped in Melbourne as groups have been troubled by getting personnel and freight to Australia.
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Domenicali stated: “It has not been an easy week. When we saw the things happening, of course, we had people in Dubai and Bahrain for a Pirelli test which we had to cancel. We had people in Doha.
“We had a number of flights booked via the Middle East, so it has been a really intense couple of days to reschedule every part with the assistance of the governments.
“We had a special programme to take all of the people in this region out, which was a challenge, therefore to be here is a great success.
“People typically consider it is simply 30 or 40 folks in a staff. We have 3000 individuals who have to transfer world wide. It’s an enormous beast.”
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Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, Bernie Collins & MORE reply why 2026 is the BEST yr to change into an F1 fan!
Sky Sports F1’s Australian GP schedule
Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Sprint*
1.10am: Australian GP Practice Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Sprint*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
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As Formula 1 enters a brand new period, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Just Keep Watching will change into the brand new title observe for Sky Sports’ F1 protection this season and past
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch each race of the 2026 Formula 1 season reside on Sky Sports, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
