F1 monitors Middle East conflict as Bahrain and Saudi races near, FIA says

Riyadh, March 3, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Formula One is closely monitoring the conflict in the Middle East and any decision on races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month will be guided by safety, the sport and governing body FIA said.

Australian Grand Prix chief executive Travis Auld said he expected no impact on this weekend’s season opener at Melbourne’s Albert Park, despite travel disruption caused by the conflict in the Gulf region.

U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend was followed by retaliatory strikes on Gulf states, halting activity at a major aviation hub in the region. Formula One teams recently completed pre-season testing in Bahrain, and many personnel were due to transit via Qatar or the United Arab Emirates en route to Australia.

The weekend’s events disrupted travel plans, Auld told Fox Sports, adding flights had been rescheduled and teams were arriving within required timeframes.

The season opener in Australia is followed by races in China and Japan this month before the Gulf rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April. Qatar and Abu Dhabi host the season-ending races in November and December.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he was in close contact with member clubs, promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as developments are monitored. He said safety and wellbeing would guide decisions on upcoming events, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One world championship.

Formula One said separately it was monitoring the situation.

Auld said the nature of the Albert Park venue makes it unlikely Melbourne could stage an additional race at short notice if Bahrain or Saudi Arabia were unable to host their rounds.

Middle East races are significant contributors to Formula One revenues through hosting fees worth many tens of millions of dollars, while Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar also have deep ties to the sport, including investments in teams and partnerships.

Formula One ran races without spectators during the COVID-19 pandemic and maintains a list of circuits that could step in on short notice if required. In 2022, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix went ahead despite rocket attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit.