F1: Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GP at risk due to war
These competitions in the Middle East are in April; decision is more likely to come after the Chinese GP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Racing Formula 1 April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are at serious risk of cancellation due to the US and Israeli attacks against Iran.
The F1 will travel to the Middle East for the fourth and fifth rounds of the new season, with events in Bahrain on April 12 and in Saudi Arabia a week later, on April 19.
Both countries are among the Gulf states that have been targets of retaliatory attacks by Iran.
The director of the F1, Stefano Domenicali, will meet with the teams on Saturday and the status of both races is expected to be the top item on the agenda.
A US naval base and residential buildings in Manama, the capital of Bahrainwere attacked just a week after the Formula 1 was in the country to carry out preseason tests in the same venue that would host the race. A lot of team stays in Manama for the race.
Some team members F1 They were still in the country at the time for a Pirelli tire test at the circuit, which was subsequently cancelled. Due to the logistics of transporting goods between races, the F1 You have at least one more week before you have to make a decision. A decision is more likely to be announced after the Chinese Grand Prix of next week.
Several senior officials of the F1 have declared to AM850 who very much doubt that either of the two races will be held, and in the paddock of Albert Park There is a growing feeling that races will be cancelled.
That would leave an interval of one month between Japanese Grand PrixApril 29, and Miami Grand Prix, on May 3.
AM850 understands that it is unlikely that another circuit will be used to host an alternative race due to limited time for preparations.
The conflict already complicated the first race of the F1he Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, due to the interruptions and cancellations of the flights that the teams took via the Middle East to Melbournemeaning that the teams have not yet adequately addressed the topic of April races.
Domenicali declared to sky sports on Friday: “Our focus, first and foremost, is the safety of all stakeholders, both the participants and the (race) promoter itself. We do not want to make any statements today because, as you know, the situation is so constantly evolving, so changing, that we still have time to make the right decision. And this decision will be made together.”
“We have an open option. Of course, everything is related to the risks that we are developing and that we must manage. All options could be available at the right time; we will make the decision, of course, involving everyone.”
The executive director of McLaren, Zak Brownstated: “There has been very little communication about it yet because of the effort it took to simply reach Australia. Obviously, the sport, ourselves, the fans, the partners, our racing team, everything will be of utmost importance from a safety point of view. “We just have to see how things develop and we will make the right decision for the health of everyone involved in the sport.”
About the expected conversation with the F1Brown stated that some considerations will be taken into account.
Asked about the financial impact and budget cap implications for teams if two races are cancelled, he responded: “It all depends. Are the races replaced? Are they delayed? And the economic impact on that.”
“But I think given what’s happening, we’re not concerned… if it has a small financial impact, so be it, given the current situation.”
Some sources have downplayed the idea of either race being rescheduled for later in the year.
Not only is there limited space in a 24-race season that runs through December 6 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prixan event that pays a premium to host the season-ending race, but there are also sporting factors to consider.
With no guarantee of when the conflict will end or whether escalations will occur in the future, the F1 He does not want to be in a position where a championship is decided or influenced by the cancellation of a race at the end of the calendar.
As for filling the gap that would be left with other circuits, it is understood that the options are limited anyway.
The Imola circuit hosted a race at a similar time last year, but it is understood that the circuit would not have enough time to prepare at short notice this time.
It has been reported that the Istanbul circuit, in Türkiyecould be an alternative to replace the new one Madrid Grand Prix this year if it is not ready on time. However, sources with good knowledge of the calendar and the situation of the possible new headquarters have informed AM850 that these reports have significantly exaggerated the availability of Istanbul Park to once again host races.
