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War in the Middle East: F1 drivers respond to possible cancellation

Photo: Race Pictures

Features

09:22, 05 Mar

Updated: 09:44, 05 Mar

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byTim Kraaij

The war in the Middle East is also gripping Formula 1. A decision will soon have to be made about whether the races in that region will go ahead. The drivers do not have a say in the matter.

The United States’ attack on Iran and Iran’s subsequent attacks on neighbouring countries have put Formula 1 in a difficult position. With the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled in a month, a choice will have to be made soon.

GPblog understood that the Formula 1 teams will sit down with Formula 1 and the FIA to discuss the situation in the Middle East. A decision is not expected immediately, but it is likely that alternatives and possible procedures will be mapped out so teams know where they stand.

George Russell taking part in pre-season testing in Bahrain in February - Photo: Race Pictures

The drivers play hardly any role in the entire discussion. During media day in Melbourne, it became clear that the drivers had decided not to comment on this. A question from GPblog elicited similar answers several times.

“Ultimately, I think all of us trust in F1 and the FIA to make the right decision,” GPDA chairman George Russell began at the press conference. “It’s going to be changing daily, I’m sure, and we’re still four or five weeks away, so I don’t think anyone is really pressing those questions because there’s still a long time between now and then.

Will the Bahrain GP go ahead?

"Of course, it’s kind of outside of our hands. It's trusting the guys at the top to make the right decision, and if we don’t, I’m sure there are Plan Bs in place, but we’re not asking, and we trust they’re on it."

Carlos Sainz spoke in the same vein after GPblog’s question: “My honest opinion, I think F1 and FIA are a lot better informed about what's going on with the contacts they have in the Middle East and in the world than what 22 drivers can know or do.

"I think we are at the mercy of what the top management of the sport decides to do, and I'm pretty confident they will make the right decision when it's the moment to make the decision. But being so far away still from that race, I don't think it's worth wasting too much energy on thinking about what's going to happen."

F1 in trouble in the Middle East

In the recent period, Formula 1 has already run into problems in the Middle East. A Pirelli test fell through, and staff from Pirelli, Mercedes, and McLaren were stuck for days on the island in the war zone. After a few days, the staff finally managed to get on a flight home.

Formula 1 also faced various issues ahead of the first Grands Prix. Because flights could no longer pass over the Middle East, many people had to rebook their flights at the very last minute—if it was even possible. Doha was a common layover used by many for the flight to Melbourne.

The FIA has already cancelled a race weekend in the Middle East. The FIA crossed off the opening round of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). This endurance race was scheduled for the end of March, barely two weeks before Formula 1 is supposed to be active in the Gulf region.