F1 insider reveals what can happen if races are cancelled due to Middle East bombings

Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has explained what could happen if races are cancelled due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

This weekend, it was revealed that a planned Pirelli tyre test due to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit had to be postponed due to missiles in the region.

A statement given to RacingNews365 read: "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."

Tension in the Middle East rose after the US and Israel commenced a joint military operation against Iran.

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

While the early races of the F1 calendar will be held in Australia and Asia, Grands Prix are set to take place in the Middle East in April.

Speaking on Sky Sports, reporter Slater explained what could happen if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races are postponed or cancelled due to safety concerns.

He said: "I have been on to Formula 1 about that and they say they are monitoring the situation, but they won't make any knee-jerk reaction, they are pointing out that there are four or five weeks to go until those events.

"Maybe there could be an amelioration of the situation, a ceasefire or a de-escalation or something along those lines."

Craig Slater provides an update on how ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could impact the beginning of the F1 season. pic.twitter.com/APSFsKuipd

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Slater continued: "However, while they will liaise with the governments in those territories, they have shown that they can be adaptable and fluid with the calendar in the past.

"It's a big calendar just by looking at it, not easy to think where you slot those races back in. There is a bit of a three-week gap in May, and there is the August summer break, but that's very hot in the Middle East to be adding a race there.

"Potentially around Singapore, might it be possible if they can't run a Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, they can slot it back in there. The problem is, you have got clusters of two races and three together, I don't think Formula 1 would be keen to have four weekends in a row of action because it's just a logistical headache."

The 2026 F1 season begins next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place around Albert Park in Melbourne.