Formula 1 has two races set to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month, but could that change due to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran?
The F1 season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend before traveling to China and Japan for more racing action.
A race in Bahrain is planned for April 12 and the one in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for April 19.
Per The Athletic, a U.S. naval base located just 20 miles away from the F1 track in Bahrain was struck as the war escalated. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain have also been targets of Iranian missiles or drone strikes.
Beyond the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races in April, F1 has races scheduled this fall in Azerbaijan and Qatar.
F1 has not canceled a race since flooding took place in northern Italy in 2023.
“Obviously (for) the sport, ourselves, the fans, the partners, our race team, all that will be of the utmost importance from a safety point of view,” McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown told reporters on Friday.
“We just have to see how things play out, and we’ll make the right decision for the health of everybody involved in the sport.”