Bahrain and Gulf races: Sports bosses 'closely monitoring' Middle East conflict as bahrain test is cancelled
Sports authorities and motorsport teams say they are closely monitoring the fallout from missile and drone strikes around the Gulf, and the Pirelli wet-weather tyre test at the Bahrain International Circuit scheduled for February 28 to March 1 has been cancelled. The situation has prompted changes to team travel plans for the season opener in Melbourne and fresh scrutiny of upcoming Gulf races.
Bahrain test cancelled by Pirelli
Pirelli has cancelled its two-day wet-weather development test at the Bahrain International Circuit that had been scheduled for February 28 to March 1., Pirelli said: "The two days of development testing for the wet compounds scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Bahrain circuit have been cancelled for safety reasons, following the evolving international situation. " The company added: "All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels. The company is working to ensure their continued safety and to arrange their return home as soon as possible. " Another Pirelli statement noted it was arranging returns to Italy and the UK for staff who had been in Manama.
Teams rerouting through Middle East
Formula One's European-based teams had been due to use Middle East hubs en route to Melbourne for next weekend's season opener, prompting an overhaul of flights and travel plans. Organisers and teams say the championship's immediate schedule remains focused on East Asia, with the season opener in Melbourne and subsequent races in China and Japan ahead of any Gulf rounds.
F1 calendar dates and statements
The campaign includes Gulf rounds later in the season. One account listed the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix as the fourth and fifth rounds set for April 12 and 19, while another schedule placed the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 10–12 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 17–19. An F1 spokesperson said: "Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East - those races are not for a number of weeks. As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities. " The season-opening Australian race is due next week in Melbourne from March 6 to 8, followed by China from March 13 to 15 and Japan from March 27 to 29.
Security concerns and Gulf strikes
The heightened alarm follows a wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes launched on Saturday by Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck U. S. military installations and several Gulf nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, in response to a joint U. S. -Israel offensive earlier that day. The IRGC vowed the strikes will continue "relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated, " and an Iranian armed forces spokesman warned that any base used to facilitate the U. S. -Israeli offensive is a legitimate target.
Bahrain circuit proximity and safety contact
One of the installations struck, U. S. Naval Forces Central Command, sits roughly 20 miles from the Bahrain circuit and about seven miles from the Bahrain International Airport. A spokesperson for the Bahrain International Circuit said organisers are in close contact with Formula One as they monitor developments.
Cricket and football responses
Cricket and soccer organisations have also taken action. A scheduled match between England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi, set for Sunday, has been cancelled. The England and Wales Cricket Board said: "The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority, " and added that England women's planned trip to Abu Dhabi next week had been delayed. The International Cricket Council, headquartered in Dubai, said it had activated contingency plans for personnel who were scheduled to transit through Dubai for onward travel to their home countries and urged fans to "monitor closely and adhere to advisories being issued and consider all factors before undertaking any further international travel. "
FIFA monitoring and World Cup implications
Football's global governing body said it was monitoring events ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June. Iran have qualified and are scheduled to play two matches in the United States, in Los Angeles and Seattle. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom told the International Football Association Board's annual meeting in Cardiff: "We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world. We will continue to communicate as we always do with three host governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe. "
Human and logistical impact on F1
Teams and suppliers based in the Gulf have felt both the human and logistical effects. Personnel from Pirelli, Mercedes and McLaren who had been at the tyre test joined local residents in concern. Bahrain has just hosted two weeks of testing and some members of the motorsport community lived in the Juffair area, which was identified as an area affected by an attack. Airspace closures in parts of the region are disrupting travel; organisers and teams continue to review movements to Australia and elsewhere.
Separately, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was thrown into doubt in 2022 after a Houthi missile struck an oil facility visible from the circuit, with drivers holding emergency discussions before ultimately agreeing to race. Organisers and teams say they are again assessing risk while trying to keep scheduled competitions on track.
Organisers across sports and their partners say they are monitoring developments closely and adjusting plans as needed, while offering safety assurances for personnel and fans.
