Decision on region F1 races to be guided by safety: FIA head

Formula

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Mercedes' George Russell during the Formula One - pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, on February 20, 2026.

(REUTERS FILE)

One is keeping a close eye on the situation in the Middle East and any decision on races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month will be guided by safety, the sport and governing body FIA said.Australian Grand Prix chief executive Travis Auld expected there to be no impact on this weekend’s season-opener at Melbourne’s Albert Park from travel issues caused by conflict in the Gulf region.

US and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend was followed by retaliatory strikes on Gulf States with the result that all activity in one of the world’s main aviation hubs has ceased.

Formula One teams recently completed preseason testing in Bahrain and many personnel were scheduled to pass through Qatar or the UAE on their journey to Australia for Sunday’s race.

“No doubts the events of the weekend have thrown out the travel plans for the teams and F1 themselves,” Auld told Fox Sports on Monday.

“F1 are experts at moving people around the world and so they've quickly rescheduled flights. I’m told, everyone’s now locked in and arriving within the required timeframes, and so there'll be no impact on our race.”

Races in Bahrain and Saudiin April

The season-opener will be followed in March by races in China and Japan before the first of the Gulf races on the Formula One calendar in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the season-enders in November and December.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the Emirati who heads the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA), said in a statement his thoughts were with all those affected.