F1 | The war in the Middle East will "last a long time": the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs are at serious risk

The conflict flared up again in Middle East risks having direct consequences on the calendar of the Formula 1 2026. The developments of the last few hours, with an intensification of military operations between United States, Israel e Iran and a series of attacks involving several Gulf countries are impacting sporting events already scheduled for the coming weeks.

Tehran's reactions, following the raids against Iranian targets, have affected US military bases and neighbouring areas in countries such as United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar e Saudi Arabia. In some cases, civilian spaces were also affected. This is an evolving situation, which international authorities are closely monitoring and which could continue for several weeks. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, He said that the military operation would not end quickly, and could last four or five weeks.

In a similar context, international motorsport is also forced to review programs and priorities. The 2026 season of the Formula 1 includes two consecutive events in the Middle East in April: the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for April 12 at the Sakhir circuit, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, scheduled for April 19 in Jeddah.

Until a few weeks ago, during the preseason testing sessions held in Sakhir, the atmosphere seemed relatively calm. In the streets of Manama, daily life continued without any particular restrictions, even strolling through the city. The tranquility was never disturbed, but a certain caution was evident due to regional instability. Today, the situation has changed significantly.

The images from the neighborhood of Juffair, In Manama, where drone strikes have reportedly damaged civilian buildings, they have also had a severe impact on those who, until a few days earlier, were in the area for work. The priority, of course, remains the safety of the public, well above any sporting or commercial considerations.

War in the Middle East: Pirelli tests in Bahrain canceled.

The first operational consequences were not long in coming. Pirelli tests scheduled for the weekend with the involvement of McLaren e Mercedes Benz have been cancelled. Due to the conflict, some of the teams' technical staff and the sole tire supplier are still in Manama, awaiting updates on the reopening of airspace in the Gulf region, which is currently suspended.

For this reason, several flights from Italy (and elsewhere) to Melbourne, the venue for the first race of the season, have been cancelled, with many stopping in Dubai or Abu Dhabi before reaching faraway Australia. In fact, some team members and several journalists will be unable to reach Albert Park.

The management of the situation directly involves Liberty Medium, owner of the commercial rights to Formula 1, and the FIA, which oversees regulatory and safety aspects. The two entities are in constant contact with local authorities and Grand Prix promoters to evaluate every possible scenario, but the first three GPs scheduled in Asia and Oceania mean there may be some time to determine what to do, albeit very limited.

It's not just Formula 1 that's affected: the World Endurance Championship calendar could also be subject to changes, with the opening race in Qatar currently being evaluated in light of the attacks currently affecting the country, even in the final minutes. Any cancellation or postponement of these events would have a domino effect on the entire spring schedule of international motorsports.

As for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, there are several hypotheses on the table. The first, the most immediate, it is the pure and simple cancellation of the two stagesThe second one provides for a postponement at a date to be determined, with possible relocation to the end of the season, should the geopolitical situation stabilize in the coming months.

War impacts F1 world championship: Imola and Istanbul ready to take over

In the event of cancellation, it would be necessary to identify alternative circuits ready to take over quickly. Potential options include European tracks already approved and equipped with the infrastructure required by the Circus, such as Imola e Istanbul, Even though organizing a Grand Prix requires weeks of logistical preparation, agreements with sponsors and broadcasters, as well as coordination with local authorities for the arrival of fans.

The final decisions will have to come in tight deadlines, Because the organizational machinery of Formula 1 involves thousands of people and a complex intercontinental transportation network. Any change to the calendar requires a review of travel plans, material shipments, and commercial strategies.

The precedent of the pandemic between 2020 and 2021 It has demonstrated that the championship is capable of adapting even to exceptional circumstances, redesigning the calendar on the fly and introducing new solutions. However, every crisis has its own characteristics and requires specific assessments.

No cancellations have been officially announced at this time, but the limited timeframe and the uncertainty surrounding the evolving conflict make intervention likely imminent. The stated priority remains the protection of those involved, with sport, in situations of this magnitude, inevitably taking a back seat to international balances of power and collective safety.