![\"F1](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/XPB_1340522_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRaces in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain look set not to be replaced if they are cancelled next month. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRaces in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain look set not to be replaced if they are cancelled next month. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
According to Sky Sports News, there are currently no plans to find replacement events should the races in Bahrain (April 10\u201312) and Saudi Arabia (April 17\u201319) be called off.<\/p>\n
Both rounds are under serious doubt after Iran launched strikes across parts of the Gulf region in retaliation for US-Israeli air strikes earlier this month, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia among the countries affected.<\/p>\n
Sky Sports News reported that Formula 1 expects to make a decision on the fate of the races by March 20 at the latest. If they do not go ahead, the championship calendar would shrink from 24 races to 22.<\/p>\n
That outcome would leave a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May.<\/p>\n
Circuits such as Imola and Portimao have been mentioned as possible stand-ins, but Sky Sports News understands there would not be enough time to organise replacement events for the mid-April slots.<\/p>\n
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali said the situation remained under review as the sport monitors developments in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, our approach first of all is safety for all of the relevant stakeholders, people and the promoter itself,\u201d he told Sky Sports F1.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to do any statement today because things are evolving and we still have time to make the right decision. This decision will be taken together.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far, we want to keep quiet and calm and make sure we have the right time to make the right decision \u2013 as we did in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n
Domenicali is due to meet with team bosses during the Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne, where the potential cancellation of the two races is expected to be discussed.<\/p>\n
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown indicated the priority across the paddock remains the safety of everyone involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first get-together of all the teams. There\u2019s been very little communication about it yet because of the effort that it took just to get here to Australia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, the sport, ourselves, the fans, the partners, our race team, all that will be of the utmost importance from a safety point of view.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll just have to see how things play out and we\u2019ll make the right decision for the health of everybody involved in the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the seriousness of the situation in the region meant Formula 1 must take a step back.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, Formula 1 in a way becomes the second priority,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such an important topic in the region that it\u2019s even quite difficult, I guess, to talk to the local leaders and say: \u2018What about the Grand Prix?\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is up to Stefano as a promoter and the FIA to manage that situation while respecting the current challenges that they have.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hunch is I would very much hope we race. Is it realistic that we race there at the moment? I\u2019m not quite sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conflict has already caused disruption to the Formula 1 paddock, with a planned Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain involving McLaren and Mercedes being cancelled last week<\/a>, while several teams faced logistical challenges travelling to Melbourne due to flights originally booked through the Gulf region.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has not been an easy week,\u201d Domenicali said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a lot of flights booked through the Middle East, so it has been a very intense couple of days to reschedule everything with the help of the governments.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a special program to take all of the people in this region out, which was a challenge, therefore to be here is a great success.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople sometimes believe it\u2019s just 30 or 40 people in a team. We have 3000 people who have to move around the world. It\u2019s a big beast.\u201d<\/p>\n
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