Formula 1 officials are closely monitoring the Middle East conflict after Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes Saturday against US military bases near upcoming Grand Prix venues. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted American installations across multiple Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran vows the strikes will continue “relentlessly until we decisively defeat the enemy.” A spokesman for Iran’s armed forces warned that any base supporting US-Israeli operations represents a legitimate target, according to NBC News.
The Bahrain Grand Prix remains scheduled for 10-12 April, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following one week later on 17-19 April. US Naval Forces Central Command, one of the installations struck, sits approximately 20 miles from the Bahrain International Circuit and about seven miles from the airport.
A Bahrain International Circuit spokesperson confirmed that organizers maintain close contact with F1 officials regarding the situation.
Pirelli Cancels Test, Staff Safe
Pirelli has immediately cancelled its wet weather test at Bahrain International Circuit scheduled for 28 February to 1 March. The tyre manufacturer released a statement explaining: “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.”
“All Pirelli personnel currently in Manama are safe in their hotels,” the statement continued. “The company is working to ensure their continued safety and to arrange their return home as soon as possible.”
The F1 season opens next week in Melbourne from 6 to 8 March, followed by China from 13 to 15 March and Japan from 27 to 29March. An F1 spokesperson acknowledged the situation but emphasised that the championship remains in East Asia before returning to the Gulf.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East — those races are not for a number of weeks,” the statement read. “As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
