The global motorsport community woke to a tense weekend as conflict in the Middle East spread across the region and forced F1 leaders to confront a new threat to the sport’s 2026 calendar.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem broke his silence with a public statement after missile strikes and military operations unfolded near countries that host several F1 races.
The president of the FIA said safety and the protection of human life will guide every decision about upcoming races in the region.
The crisis began early Saturday, Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes inside Iran. Iran responded with missile attacks aimed at US military bases across the Middle East, including locations in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Motorsport felt the impact within hours. GPfans reported on Feb. 1 that videos shared online appeared to show explosions roughly 20 kilometres from the Bahrain International Circuit, the venue that had just hosted F1’s preseason testing.
Iranian missiles struck a U.S. naval facility in Bahrain’s Juffair district of Manama. The area is a well-known hub for F1 teams and staff during race weekends in the Gulf state.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s statement: Safety above all else
Amidst the chaos, Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted a message on social media addressing the unfolding situation.
He said the FIA was “deeply saddened” by the events in the Middle East and stressed the need to protect civilians. His message focused first on the human cost of the conflict.
“As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East,” Ben Sulayem wrote in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.”
He continued by calling for calm during a moment of deep uncertainty.
“At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability,” Ben Sulayem said.
The FIA president also explained how the governing body is approaching the rapidly changing situation.
He said the organisation is actively monitoring developments across the region and maintaining communication with key partners across motorsport.
“Safety and well-being will always guide our decisions. We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.”
His message ended with a call for unity inside the sport at a time when many in the paddock are watching events unfold with concern.
“Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose,” he wrote. “That unity matters now more than ever.”
What races are under threat?
Attention now turns to several races on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar in the Middle East.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 12. One week later, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is set for April 19.
Both events now sit under heavy speculation, though officials have not announced cancellations.
Signs of disruption have already appeared in the paddock. Some team staff have begun searching for alternative routes to Australia for the season opener so they can avoid travel through the region.
A planned tyre test by Pirelli at the Bahrain International Circuit was also cancelled. The company said the move came for security reasons as the situation developed.
All Pirelli personnel in Manama remained safe in their hotels while the company worked to arrange flights back to Italy and the UK.
FOM and FIA align on a cautious approach
Formula One Management told PlanetF1.com that the sport’s next races are in Australia, China and Japan. Those events take place before the Middle East rounds.
The organisation said it continues to monitor the situation and stays in contact with authorities.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan, not in the Middle East. Those races are not for a number of weeks. As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities,” FOM said in a statement.
The FIA World Endurance Championship issued a similar statement. It said officials are closely watching developments and carrying out a detailed safety review.
According to Craig Slater, the challenge grows if races must move or disappear from the calendar. Formula 1 already runs a packed schedule.
Slater said one possible solution could be to place a postponed race near the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. But he warned that four race weekends in a row would create major travel and workload pressure for teams.
A personal dimension for Ben Sulayem
The situation also carries personal weight for Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
He was born in Dubai and built his racing career across the region. Ben Sulayem won multiple Middle East Rally Championship titles and spent years helping expand motorsport in the Arab world.
He also played a key role in launching the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. That race became one of Formula 1’s most prominent events.
Those ties link him closely to the people and places now caught in the crisis.
For now, the FIA and F1 Management continue to watch events unfold. Teams, drivers and officials wait for signs that tensions will ease before the championship must decide the future of its Middle East races.
