FIA president issues update on 2026 F1 season in statement amid Middle East conflict
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has assured Formula One fans ahead of planned races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.
After three months, Formula One is set to return in just a matter of days as the 2026 season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Ahead of the race, several teams have been dealing with issues surrounding the ongoing conflict across the Middle East following the Trump administration conducting "major combat operations" against Iran.
Reports have claimed that staff members from several teams are struggling to make it to Melbourne ahead of the race due to flights that pass through various Middle Eastern countries being cancelled.
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Concerns have also been raised about how the ongoing conflict could impact the F1 race calendar ahead of visits to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month, forcing the FIA President to speak out.
Following the US strikes in Iran, Formula One race organisers have stated that the season’s opener in Melbourne will go ahead as planned, adding that they are “closely monitoring” the situation ahead of races in the Middle East.
As it stands, the Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for 12 April, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will get underway a week later on 19 April.
And it appears that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future, as FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem released a statement addressing the situation.
“As president of the FIA, my thoughts are with those affected by the recent events in the Middle East,” he wrote.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.
“At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities.
“We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.
“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
“Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever.”
What will happen if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix are cancelled?
With a US military base just around a 30-minute drive from the Bahrain International Circuit, there are serious safety concerns about hosting Formula One races on the track should the ongoing conflict continue.
In light of this, it is believed that a contingency plan has been put in place that could see both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix replaced should it be deemed necessary.
Should this be the case, the Imola circuit in Italy is believed to be the primary reserve circuit due to it being logistically easy for teams to move equipment and travel at short notice.
F1 returning to Imola would be a welcome addition after the track was left off of the 2026 calendar having previously secured a deal to race at the track from 2022 until 2025.
The venue had previously lost its place on the calendar after 2006, returned to the calendar in 2020 as a one-off event during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Imola was again used on short notice in 2021 as it filled in the the gap created by Shanghai’s postponement as the pandemic continued
Istanbul Park in Turkey, Portimao in Portugal, Nurburgring and Hockenheim in Germany, as well as Japan’s Fuji Speedway, may also be considered as stand-in venues.
Topics: Formula 1
Ben McCrum