F1 issue statement on Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races amid cancellation fears

Formula 1 have released an official statement amid concerns that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix could be cancelled.

The staging of both races was thrown into doubt last weekend after the United States and Israel launched a 'major combat operation' on Iran.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks in response on US and Israel military bases, with a number of missiles intercepted aerially in the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar among others.

That has meant a mass airspace closure across the West Region of the Middle East, causing a significant number of people to be stranded.

As per FlightRadar, Saudi Arabia's airspace is partially closed to the 'affecting area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf', while Bahrain's airspace is totally closed.

Those orders were due to expire on Thursday, March 5, and while flights from some Middle Eastern countries resumed on Wednesday, it remains unclear as to exactly when the orders will be fully lifted.

While the airspace closures have caused concern that the upcoming F1 races in the Middle East are at risk, there are also safety and security fears that will naturally be brought into the question.

In a statement to SPORTbible, an F1 spokesperson reiterated that, while no decision has been taken as yet on whether to cancel the races, discussions are ongoing with the relevant authorities.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is due to take place on April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for a week later on April 19.

Saudi Arabia has hosted F1 races since 2021 (Image: Getty)

The statement reads: "As you would expect, we have been in ongoing contact with the relevant authorities in the region as well as in the UK, Europe and the US, and we continue to actively monitor the fluid situation.

"Our first three races are not in the Middle East and therefore we will continue to assess developments and ensure everyone is kept informed."

There is an FIA precedent when it comes to the cancellation of Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix - which was due to host the first race of the season - was postponed due to anti-government protests in the Gulf state.

It was later rescheduled for October, before being removed from the 2011 calendar entirely.

In 2022, an attack took place on an oil depot just 12 miles away from the circuit during Friday practice in Saudi Arabia. Yemen's Houthi rebel group took responsibility for the attack.

After extensive discussions overnight between drivers, team principals and the FIA, it was decided that qualifying and the race would take place as normal.