Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix scrapped over Iran war

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, scheduled for April, have been cancelled due to the Iran war, Formula 1 and its governing body the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), have confirmed.

The Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix were scheduled for April 12 and April 19 respectively.

Although several alternatives were considered, Formula 1 “ultimately decided that no substitutions would be made in April”. 

“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,” F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

Saudi Arabia hosted its first Grand Prix in Jeddah in 2021. Last year tourism minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said the event had created 20,000 jobs and created SAR900 million ($240 million) of economic impact.

Iran has targeted Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in retaliatory attacks following US and Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28, which killed supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini. 

Earlier this month Simon Chadwick, professor of AfroEurasian sport at Emlyon Business School and AGBI columnist, said that it was difficult to see the Bahrain race taking place given its geographic exposure.

• Bahrain GP expected to be cancelled due to Iran war
• Middle East tourism losing $600m a day in Iran war
• Iran conflict tests Bahrain’s fragile finances

Kieran Maguire, a UK sports economist, added: “F1 is a huge logistical exercise to begin with and there will be no guarantee that you’ll be able to move the cars and everything that goes with them from one part of the world.”

The cancellations will result in a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.

In addition the Formula 2, Formula 3 and F1 Academy rounds will not take place during their scheduled times, the statement said.

The Gulf is also home to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, which are held towards the end of the F1 calendar.