Method 1 is ready to not change the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix if they’re cancelled as a result of ongoing battle within the Center East.
The races in Bahrain on April 10-12 and Saudi Arabia on April 17-19 are in severe doubt as each nations are among the many Gulf states to have been struck by Iran in retaliation to US-Israeli air strikes amid the escalating battle within the area this month.
Sky Sports activities Information understands a choice on whether or not to cancel the 2 races will probably be made by March 20 on the newest and, ought to they not happen, the rounds wouldn’t get replaced.
Portugal’s Portimato and Italy’s Imola circuits have been mooted as potential replacements however there wouldn’t be sufficient time to organise the occasions for April.
It means the F1 calendar would drop from 24 rounds to 22, leaving a five-week hole within the calendar between the third spherical of the season in Japan on March 27-29 and the Miami Grand Prix on Could 1-3.
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On Paddock Move, Rachel Brookes spoke to the followers forward of the opening Method 1 race of the season in Australia
“First of all, our approach first of all is safety for all of the relevant stakeholders, people and the promoter itself,” F1 president Stefano Domenicali advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“We do not wish to do any assertion at this time as a result of issues are evolving and we nonetheless have time to make the precise choice. This choice will probably be taken collectively.
“So far, we want to keep quiet and calm and make sure we have the right time to make the right decision – as we did in the past.”
Domenicali: Not been a simple week
This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix has largely received underneath method unaffected by the Center East battle however there have been logistical challenges since a number of personnel had been initially as a result of fly from Europe to Australia by way of the Gulf area.
Pirelli cancelled a tyre check in Bahrain final weekend which was set to contain McLaren and Mercedes, whereas curfew restrictions to cease groups working in a single day have been scrapped in Melbourne as groups have been troubled by getting personnel and freight to Australia.
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McLaren and Nice Barrier Reef Basis have reached a milestone of their mission to speed up coral reef restoration: the primary public reveal of Machine One, designed to unravel considered one of reef restoration’s most persistent constraints – pace
Domenicali mentioned: “It has not been an easy week. When we saw the things happening, of course, we had people in Dubai and Bahrain for a Pirelli test which we had to cancel. We had people in Doha.
“We had plenty of flights booked by way of the Center East, so it has been a really intense couple of days to reschedule the whole lot with the assistance of the governments.
“We had a special programme to take all of the people in this region out, which was a challenge, therefore to be here is a great success.
“Folks typically imagine it is simply 30 or 40 individuals in a crew. We have now 3000 individuals who have to maneuver world wide. It is a huge beast.”
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Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, Bernie Collins & MORE reply why 2026 is the BEST 12 months to grow to be an F1 fan!
Sky Sports activities F1’s Australian GP schedule
Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Dash*
1.10am: Australian GP Apply Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Dash*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
9.45pm: F3 Function Race*
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As Method 1 enters a brand new period, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Simply Hold Watching will grow to be the brand new title observe for Sky Sports activities’ F1 protection this season and past
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Function Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky One)*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
Watch each race of the 2026 Method 1 season dwell on Sky Sports activities, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
