Escalating tensions in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between the US and Israel and Iran have not only affected the global oil economy, their effects are now reaching the world of sports.
Formula 1 is expected to cancel its scheduled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns.
In retaliation for the US-Israeli joint military strikes, Iran launched several missile attacks against US military bases in the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
According to ESPNthe race in Bahrain was scheduled for April 12 and the race in Saudi Arabia was scheduled for April 19.
Although it is still unclear whether the matches will continue until April, a decision is required soon due to logistical constraints.
Due to an already packed schedule, the canceled races are unlikely to be replaced. This would reduce the 2026 schedule from 24 to 22 races.
The development would also add a five-week break between the third round of the new season in Japan on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Earlier, seven-time world champion and Scuderia Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed confidence in the organisation, saying: “F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali will do what is right for all of us and the sport.”
