Source:REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] As the military conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, more Grands Prix beyond the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races may face cancellation. Die Presse reports that F1 officials are concerned about whether several upcoming races can proceed as scheduled. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is under particular security scrutiny because of its geographic proximity to Iran. Azerbaijan borders Iran, which has raised serious safety concerns among teams and drivers. The potential impact on the race calendar may not stop there — even the season finale is now uncertain. As the conflict develops, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are also being closely monitored. Although decision-makers have not yet taken action regarding these later events, reports say a high-alert atmosphere has spread through the paddock. With the possibility of further escalation unable to be ruled out, tension in the paddock is rising day by day. The conflict has already caused substantial financial consequences: the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are estimated to have created a roughly €100 million shortfall for F1’s commercial rights holder.
The editor believes that short-term risks do exist, but the races are still proceeding as planned for now. Whether the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will ultimately be canceled will depend on how the Middle East situation evolves over the coming months and on F1 and the FIA’s safety assessments.