Middle East races

[Zammy]

With the current conflict with Iran and the wider ME does this affect the ME races particularly the earlier ones like Bahrain and Saudi. If the conflict continues do they get moved to later on in the season, replaced by another track somewhere in Europe or scrapped altogether?

Even if the conflict ends before the April races does it affect logistics to the tracks. I'm sure FIA will be keeping a keen eye on developments.

[Ste-EVo]

I'd be suprised if those races go ahead imo, mid April is a while away but I cant see this trouble ending quickly (I really hope im wrong on that).

I think they may struggle to get the freight there if nothing else? (Again, hope im wrong)

Isn't there Merc, Mclaren and Pirelli staff stuck in Bahrain at the moment, to do with a tyre test?? Depending who's there, it may scupper the Aus. Race for some if they cant get out in time?

[coppice]

The golden lining aroud the cloud . Crap circuits in godawful countries with medieval governance and 'justice' .

[StevieBee]

Other than the cars and parts, all the equipment will already be there. IIRC, the teams and the FIA have three sets of everything that leap-frog around the globe over the year. But obviously getting cars and people there may prove too risky.

Bahrain and Saudi are some way off so time for everything to calm down but if out doesn't, then I can't see how they'd be able to run them.

[bergclimber34]

If you are going to follow money and nothing else, this is the price you pay, I happen to think it's hilarious and almost just deserts for the recent trends of doing so, and stty countries sportwashing.

[PhilAsia]

bergclimber34 said:

If you are going to follow money and nothing else, this is the price you pay, I happen to think it's hilarious and almost just deserts for the recent trends of doing so, and stty countries sportwashing.

iswydt

[jimmsy]

I do wonder whether the FIA will breathe a sigh of relief if Saudi is cancelled. These new cars so early on in the current Formula will be clipping and really having a tough time due to the % of full throttle. It might be a nice excuse to skip it and come back when both the country and the sport are more stable.

[LM240]

This is so early days and signs are escalation rather than fizzling out.

With two races in the region only next month I’m going to go with cancellation and surprise if things have settled enough to allow safe running and smooth logistics.

[mmm-five]

Didn't the Saudi on go ahead in 2022 despite a missile attack very close to the circuit?

[HocusPocus]

Trump will be bombing a fresh despot or peaceful ally every week until we all forget the Epstein word. The only restraint will be the toilets crippling USS Gerald R Ford.

So all Gulf states should be calmed for racing F1 whilst we all blather about USA's liberation of North Korea or Greenland.

[v8notbrave]

Aston Martin probably happy, one less opportunity for embarrassment???

[Milkyway]

v8notbrave said:

Aston Martin probably happy, one less opportunity for embarrassment???

Get your overalls on Jenson.

[Leithen]

Bahrain & Saudi must be a no-no.

Azerbaijan borders Iran, so dubious.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi surely unlikely.

1 March 6-8 Australian Grand Prix Melbourne
2 March 13-15 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai
3 March 27-29 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka
4 April 10-12 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir
5 April 17-19 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah
6 May 1-3 United States Grand Prix Miami
7 May 22-24 Canadian Grand Prix Montreal
8 June 5-7 Monaco Grand Prix Monaco
9 June 12-14 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix Barcelona-Catalunya
10 June 26-28 Austrian Grand Prix Spielberg
11 July 3-5 British Grand Prix Silverstone
12 July 17-19 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps
13 July 24-26 Hungarian Grand Prix Budapest
14 August 21-23 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort
15 September 4-6 Italian Grand Prix Monza
16 September 11-13 Spanish Grand Prix Madrid
17 September 24-26 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku
18 October 9-11 Singapore Grand Prix Singapore
19 October 23-25 United States Grand Prix Austin
20 October 30 - November 1 Mexican Grand Prix Mexico City
21 November 6-8 Brazilian Grand Prix São Paulo
22 November 19-21 United States Grand Prix Las Vegas
23 November 27-29 Qatar Grand Prix Lusail
24 December 4-6 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina

[vaud]

Most teams would probably like that break after three races to work out WTF happened in the first 3 races and fix a bunch of stuff?

[Big Nanas]

Very interesting. Logistically it's surely too late to find replacement venues for Bahrain and Saudi?

[Milkyway]

Trump was probably advised that military action had the potential to really screw up the F1 calendar.

[Leithen]

vaud said:

Most teams would probably like that break after three races to work out WTF happened in the first 3 races and fix a bunch of stuff?

Could be a blessing in disguise. Especially for Honda.

[vaud]

Leithen said:

Could be a blessing in disguise. Especially for Honda.

I think Honda need something more like a year...

[LM240]

vaud said:

Leithen said:

Could be a blessing in disguise. Especially for Honda.

I think Honda need something more like a year...

Well US, Israel and UK all deny firing any missiles at Iran!!

[732NM]

mmm-five said:

Didn't the Saudi on go ahead in 2022 despite a missile attack very close to the circuit?

The drivers wanted to leave and sat up all evening gassing, until someone reminded them they are puppets in a very large money making machine.

No chance the two middle east races should go ahead, it would be a massive target for a missile attack from Iran. The only chance they have is if the Iran regime collapses completely, I wouldn't bet on that.