Alpine driver Pierre Gasly says Formula 1 will make the “right decision” on whether to go ahead with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April.
Both races are in doubt amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which saw Iran launch attacks on other countries in the Gulf, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – two countries which have US bases.
The opening three F1 races, starting with this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, followed by races in China and Japan later this month, will not be impacted.
But, F1 are “closely monitoring” the Middle East conflict before making a final decision on the scheduled rounds in Bahrain on April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia on April 17-19.
Alpine’s Gasly told Sky Sports News: “I trust the people in charge. There’s so much at stake.
“I have some family living in the Middle East, and people close to me. It’s difficult to get my head around everything that’s going on when you know what’s happening at the moment.
“Hopefully things will get better, but, ultimately, F1 will make the right decision and what’s best for all of us.”
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On Tuesday, the World Endurance Championship announced their season-opener in Qatar on March 26-28 had been postponed.
In its WEC statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA continues to monitor developments across the region and our thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events as we hope for calm, safety and a return to stability.”
What would happen if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia F1 races are cancelled?
Sky Sports’ Nigel Chiu:
“Formula 1 will first hope the Middle East conflict ends in the coming days, but if it does not, they will no doubt be making contingency plans.
“From a calendar perspective, there is a three-week gap in May and the traditional four-week break in August where the teams’ factories must be shut down for at least two of those weeks.
“Aside from this, every other round is either held straight after another race or just two weeks following the previous event. That means moving even just one of the Bahrain or Saudi Arabia races would create a triple-header, or even four successive race weekends.
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“Portimao in Portugal and Imola in Italy would be likely candidates to replace Bahrain and/or Saudi Arabia if the Middle East events are cancelled completely. If F1 want any chance of staging those races in April though, they must make a decision by mid-March at the latest.
“Should there be no races in April or the three-week gap in May, only the Miami Grand Prix (May 1-3) would be staged following the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March to the Canadian Grand Prix towards the end of May.”
Sky Sports F1’s Australian GP schedule
Thursday March 5
3am: Drivers’ Press Conference
6am: Paddock Uncut
9.45pm: F3 Practice
10.55pm: F2 Practice
Friday March 6
1am: Australian GP Practice One (session starts at 1.30am)*
2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
3.30am: Team Bosses Press Conference
3.50am: F2 Qualifying*
4.35am: Australian GP Practice Two (session starts at 5am)*
6.15am: The F1 Show*
Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Sprint*
1.10am: Australian GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Sprint*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
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