Formula One has cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix because of the war in the Middle East.
The races were due to take place on 12 April in Bahrain and 19 April in Saudi Arabia but the sport was approaching the point at which a decision on cancellation needed to be made to prevent more freight being sent to Bahrain.
In a statement F1 conceded they had been left with no choice but to cancel the races for the safety of everyone involved.
“It has been confirmed today that, after careful evaluations, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” it read. “While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April.
“The Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will also not take place during their scheduled times. The decision has been taken in full consultation with the FIA and respective promoters.”
F1’s chief executive Stefano Domenicali believed the decision was the correct one for the sport to make.
“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” he said. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion. We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”
The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”
Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit is only 20 miles (32km) from a US base that has already been the target of Iranian attacks. Some team freight is also already stuck in Bahrain, having been unable to move since pre-season testing, and understandably there is no appetite for having more equipment dispatched only to become unretrievable.
The season is now set to run to 22 meetings, with a gap of five weeks between the third round in Japan on 29 March and what would then be the fourth round in Miami on 3 May, during which teams would seek to make further car improvements as they adapt to the sport’s new regulations.