Breaking:FIA President Reviews Middle East F1 Races Following Iran missile attacks on…. see details
FIA President Reviews Middle East F1 Races Following Iran missile attacks on…. see details
The president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has confirmed that motorsport authorities are actively reviewing upcoming Formula 1 events in the Middle East after a sharp rise in regional instability linked to missile attacks involving Iran.
The situation escalated after the United States and Israel reportedly launched coordinated airstrikes on Iranian targets. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory missile attacks, some of which were aimed at U.S. military bases located in neighboring countries. One of the affected nations was Bahrain, a key destination on the Formula 1 calendar.
These developments had immediate implications for the sport. Formula 1’s tyre supplier, Pirelli, was scheduled to conduct a two-day tyre testing programme at the Bahrain International Circuit. However, due to mounting security concerns, the test was cancelled at short notice. In an official statement, Pirelli explained that the decision was taken strictly for safety reasons amid the rapidly evolving international situation. The company also reassured fans and stakeholders that all its staff in Manama were safe and accounted for, while arrangements were being made to return personnel to Italy and the United Kingdom as quickly as possible.
Formula 1 itself sought to calm fears that the broader race calendar could be disrupted. Officials emphasized that the next three scheduled races—set to take place in Australia, China, and Japan—are geographically distant from the Middle East and not due to occur for several weeks. F1 stressed that it routinely monitors global developments and maintains close coordination with local authorities to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the championship.
Despite these reassurances, attention has now turned to the Middle Eastern races later in the season, particularly the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for April 12 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 19. Addressing the issue in a statement shared with GPFans, Ben Sulayem made it clear that the FIA is taking the matter seriously and proceeding with caution.
He expressed deep sympathy for those affected by the recent violence, noting that his thoughts were with the victims, their families, and the wider communities caught up in the conflict. He underlined the importance of calm, dialogue, and the protection of civilians, calling for a swift return to stability in the region.
Ben Sulayem also explained that the FIA is in constant communication with its member clubs, championship promoters, race teams, and personnel on the ground. This ongoing dialogue, he said, is essential to ensuring that decisions are made responsibly and based on accurate, up-to-date information.
Safety, he emphasized, will be the guiding principle as the FIA evaluates all upcoming events in the region, including those connected to the FIA Formula One World Championship and other FIA-sanctioned competitions such as the World Endurance Championship. He concluded by highlighting the importance of unity within the motorsport community during uncertain times, noting that shared purpose and cooperation are more vital than ever as the organization navigates these challenges.
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