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F1 chiefs issue statement on Australian GP following Middle East bombings

Home> F1

Published 19:20 28 Feb 2026 GMT

F1 chiefs issue statement on Australian GP following Middle East bombings

Formula One announced that an event in Bahrain was cancelled and have now put a second statement out ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

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Formula One have responded with a response about the upcoming Australian Grand Prix after bombings in the Middle East.

The 2026 season kicks off next week with the first race in Melbourne as McLaren's Lando Norris begins the defence of his crown.

However, a F1 event in Bahrain has been cancelled days before the opener because of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

A two-day Pirelli tyre test was set to take place and collate important data but the event at the Sakhir International circuit, had to be postponed due to missiles in the region.

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In a statement given to RacingNews365. Pirelli explained: "The two days of development tests for wet-weather compounds, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit, have been cancelled for security reasons following the evolving international situation.

"All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their safety and arrange their return to Italy and the UK as soon as possible."

A retaliation attack from Iran in Bahrain. Image: Getty
A retaliation attack from Iran in Bahrain. Image: Getty

The US and Israel staged a joint military operation which included strikes in multiple locations in Iran, with President Donald Trump announcing "major combat operations" and stating that the intention was to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground".

In response, a number of US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain were targeted in retaliation strikes.

Many F1 staff members have had to re-route their travel to Australia as a result, with major airports like Dubai and Doha closed for security purposes.

Airport Hong Kong and Singapore are being used for alternative connecting flights but F1 officials may be forced to further shift plans if the conflict continues.

Preparations for the Australian Grand Prix are well underway. Image: Getty
Preparations for the Australian Grand Prix are well underway. Image: Getty

An F1 spokesperson told The Sun: "Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East – those races are not for a number of weeks.

“As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”

The Bahrain Grand Prix is pencilled in for April 12, a week before the witSaudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.

The Qatar Grad Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are later in the season, taking place on November 29 and December 6 respectively.

In 2022 at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, there was a missile attack which hit the Aramco oil facility - around 10 miles away from the circuit.

There was a delay to practice as smoke was visible on the attack but after an emergency meeting, the Grand Prix went ahead safely and smoothly.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Australia, Formula 1

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

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@joshlawless_

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