Motorsport is beginning to suffer the consequences of the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. After Pirelli canceled tests it was going to conduct to evaluate Formula 1 tires in Bahrain, the WEC, the world’s leading endurance championship, postponed the Qatar round, scheduled for the Lusail circuit on March 28. The date is just two weeks before the F1 Bahrain GP.
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In a statement issued by the WEC, the Qatari round, which would feature a 1,812-kilometer race, has been postponed to a later date in the year. The championship organization also states it remains in communication with the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Thus, the World Endurance Championship will open its season on April 19, in Imola, Italy.
Regarding F1, there are two rounds in the Middle East in this initial phase of the championship: Bahrain, on April 12, and Saudi Arabia, one week later, on the 19th of the same month. The pinnacle of world motorsport remains on alert regarding the conflict in that region, but so far has not expressed any intention to postpone or cancel these rounds.
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F1 has a history of canceling rounds in the Middle East due to conflicts. In 2011, a year marked by protests against governments in several countries, in what was called the “Arab Spring,” the category chose not to hold the race in Sakhir.
The 2026 F1 season will open this weekend with the Australian GP, scheduled for the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.
