Expert warns Gulf Grand Prix races may be cancelled

March 5, 2026 Oliver Obel

The escalating conflict in the Middle East could disrupt parts of the upcoming Formula 1 calendar, with experts warning that races scheduled in the region may face cancellation if security conditions do not improve.

Two events currently under scrutiny are the Bahrain Grand Prix on 12 April and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on 19 April, both key stops in the early phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Conflict raises security concerns

Tensions intensified on 28 February when the United States and Israel reportedly carried out a joint strike on Iran. Reports cited by SPORTbible say the attack killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several members of his family.

Iran later responded with drone and missile strikes aimed at multiple locations across the region, including Oman, Qatar, Cyprus, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

At the same time, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon have escalated. Israeli authorities have warned residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate as further military operations are expected.

According to reports, the violence has already led to thousands of civilian deaths and widespread displacement.

Travel and sport already affected

The instability has begun to disrupt international travel routes that pass through the Middle East, a region that functions as a major aviation link between Europe, Asia and Australia.

Several European governments, including the United Kingdom, have arranged repatriation flights to bring their citizens home as security conditions deteriorate.

The sporting world has also felt the consequences. England Lions and England Women’s planned cricket tours of the United Arab Emirates have been cancelled, while Qatar has suspended sporting events until further notice.

Formula 1 teams have also had to adjust travel arrangements ahead of the season opener. SPORTbible reported that roughly 1,000 personnel involved in the championship reorganised their travel plans, with around 500 staff transported on charter flights from Europe.

The 2026 Formula 1 season is scheduled to begin with the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March.

Gulf races under review

Attention is now turning to whether Formula 1’s scheduled races in the Gulf region can proceed safely.

SPORTbible reported that a decision on the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events could be made by 29 March, after the opening rounds of the championship in Australia, China and Japan.

Professor Simon Chadwick, a geopolitics specialist who has advised international sports organisations and previously worked with organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, said the security situation could make hosting the races extremely difficult.

He told SPORTbible:
“With armed conflict in the region, unless a ceasefire is imminent, it is hard to see how the races will go ahead. We’ve seen missile attacks before, specifically at the Jeddah race in 2022 when Iranian-backed Houthi rebels bombed an oil installation next to the circuit. Drivers wanted the race cancelled, though they were eventually persuaded to go ahead.

“This time, however, one imagines that the drivers, teams, personnel, commercial partners, fans and so forth won’t even travel. Once the second race of the season in China is over, we’ll probably see a decision being made. Then, after the third race in Japan, everyone will want some certainty around whether they just come back to Europe or whether they must travel to the Gulf region.”p

Formula 1 and the FIA have been contacted for comment. For now, it remains unclear whether the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will go ahead as planned.

Sources: SPORTbible