Iranian missiles put the Bahrain GP and the Saudi Arabian GP in check, scheduled for mid-April and dependent on maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz. Among all its allied countries and priority partners,

Five contenders to replace Bahrain and Saudi Arabia if F1 races are cancelled - Travel chaos in the Middle East means the April double-header is in significant doubt

F1’s presence in the Middle East has previously been affected by the security situation. In 2022, the Grand Prix in Jeddah went ahead despite missile attacks on a nearby oil facility by Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are allied with Iran. In 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled due to unrest during the Arab Spring.

Like many, F1 staff are anxiously watching the current Middle East conflict. Decisions on the 2026 races occurring there soon must be taken

Formula 1 is reportedly considering three alternative venues if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are unable to go ahead as planned in April. This year’s Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend,

After F1 cancelled the Pirelli wet tyre test in Bahrain following regional strikes, there are concerns about the potential of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs being cancelled

This is not the first time the region has disrupted F1’s calendar. The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was pulled from the calendar due to political unrest, and as recently as 2022, F1 seriously considered abandoning the Saudi Arabian GP after missile strikes were visible from the Jeddah circuit during practice.