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F1 Gulf races likely cancelled amid conflict

Autosport F1 News •
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The escalating conflict in the Middle East has put Formula 1's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in jeopardy, with sources indicating they are unlikely to be replaced if cancelled. UK Foreign Office advice against travel to the Gulf region makes staging these races impossible due to insurance requirements, leaving F1 with limited options to maintain its packed 24-event calendar.

F1's tightly clustered schedule offers little flexibility compared to other racing series. While shifting the Jeddah round between Miami and Montreal has been mooted, this remains logistically challenging and still open to disruption. The freight deadline for Bahrain after the Japanese GP on March 29 adds urgency to decision-making, with European venues considered impractical due to the time required for commercial setup.

Teams are concerned about preserving their share of F1's commercial revenues should the races be cancelled without replacement, though public messaging emphasizes safety. McLaren boss Zak Brown acknowledged the situation delicately, noting the financial impact "probably all kind of depends" on whether races get replaced or delayed. F1 has already exceeded broadcast contract requirements, reducing pressure to maintain the full schedule amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.