F1 ‘weigh up three choices’ if US and Iran strikes cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs
As the conflict between the USA, Israel and Iran continues to cause violence in the Middle East, many are wondering what may happen to the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs
Bahrain is one of the Gulf countries to be hit by air strikes(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Should the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix be scrapped due to the conflict involving the USA, Israel and Iran, F1 chiefs could look to Portugal, Italy and France to plug the gap. The Pirelli wet tyre test in Bahrain was recently abandoned after Iranian retaliatory strikes hit the Bahraini capital Manama.
With attacks also striking Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, there remains doubt surrounding the Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix, scheduled for April. Thus far, F1 bosses are adopting a wait-and-see stance to determine whether the regional conflict subsides in time for the races.
Nevertheless, it’s believed backup plans are being weighed up should the Middle Eastern events fail to proceed. F1 are thought to be “monitoring” the situation and are prepared to collaborate with the governments of those nations.
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According to F1 Insider, Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Le Castellet in France have been identified as possible replacement venues, should the Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix be axed. In June 2027, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali branded Imola as the “first reserve” circuit, should any event be scrapped.
He told the Bologna newspaper Il Resto del Carlino: “If for any reason a venue were to fall through, we will return to Imola with our cars and our drivers.”
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The Italian circuit was axed for the 2026 season with Madrid being brought in as a replacement. When the choice was made, Domenicali hinted it could return as soon as 2027.
Should the Middle Eastern conflict continue, the venue being reinstated a year sooner than anticipated seems to be on the cards. Furthermore, Portimao was last utilised in an F1 season in 2021, with the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal hosting races during the 2020 and 2021 Coronavirus-impacted schedules.
F1 was set to return to the Algarve for the 2027 and 2028 seasons but, similar to Italy, could be reinstated should the Middle Eastern rounds fail to proceed. Meanwhile, Le Castellet hasn’t staged an F1 race since 2022, when Max Verstappen stormed to triumph.
The circuit had been welcomed back into the F1 calendar in 2018, but after being unable to secure a fresh deal, it was removed from 2022 onwards. This roster of circuits is not complete, with numerous others also anticipated to be evaluated. No definitive choice has been reached regarding those rounds.
Addressing the uncertainty, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.
“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the World Endurance Championship and the Formula One World Championship. Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever.”
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