The growing instability in the Middle East has generated uncertainty for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The conflict between the United States and Iran, which has lasted four days, has resulted in a series of attacks, directly affecting countries in the region, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and more recently, Saudi Arabia.
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The Bahrain GP, scheduled for April 12, is among the threatened races. The FIA, through its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, stated that it is closely monitoring the situation. In an open letter, Ben Sulayem highlighted: “We are in contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground, monitoring developments carefully and responsibly. Safety and well-being will guide our decisions regarding the next scheduled events,” referring to both the World Endurance Championship (WEC), which has already had the Qatar round postponed, and Formula 1.
Saudi Arabia has also been the target of Iranian attacks, including a fire at an Aramco refinery, a sponsor of Aston Martin. Reports confirmed that the US embassy in Riyadh was also hit by the attacks. British authorities issued alerts similar to those given for Bahrain and the Emirates, recommending that their citizens remain safe, given the increase in missile and drone activity in the region.
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Meanwhile, several F1 teams, including Mercedes, McLaren, and Pirelli, are facing logistical difficulties with the closure of airspace in the Middle East. This directly affects the logistics for the Saudi Arabian GP, scheduled for April 19, just one week after the race in Bahrain.
With the current scenario of violence and instability, the future of the next GPs in the region, including Jeddah, is at serious risk.
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