F1 races in Azerbaijan despite Iran war, with Middle East schedule in flux
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled; Azerbaijan proceeds 105 miles from Iran border with tight three-week turnaround.
What to know
- Iran war forced cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races; F1 is proceeding with Azerbaijan despite the country bordering Iran.
- Baku is 105 miles from Iran's border and faces lower security risk than Gulf nations hosting U.S. military bases; British travel advice does not warn against the city.
- F1 has scheduled a replacement Malaysia race and is contingent planning Imola as backup for Qatar and Abu Dhabi if Middle East races cannot proceed.
- Azerbaijan Grand Prix moved to Saturday (from Sunday) due to Remembrance Day national holiday; three-week turnaround requires Azerbaijan's airspace for cargo and personnel.
“Britain advises against travel to Azerbaijan's border with Armenia or areas affected by armed conflict in the past — especially because of a risk of landmines — but those areas aren't near the capital, Baku.”
James Ellingworth, Yahoo Sports correspondent · Yahoo Sports ↗ · Sep 21
Formula 1 Race organizerAzerbaijan Race host nationIran Regional military actor
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles
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F1 schedules replacement Malaysia race and contingency plans for remaining season
F1 has slotted in a replacement race in Malaysia for the week after Azerbaijan, still carrying Bahrain Grand Prix branding, ahead of Singapore the following week. F1 has indicated it plans to race in Qatar in November and Abu Dhabi in December if possible, with Italy's Imola circuit as the likeliest alternative if Middle East races cannot proceed. Bahrain will host the 2027 season-opening race in March.
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background
F1 proceeds with Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday despite regional uncertainty — Formula 1 races in Baku this weekend, moving the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from its traditional Sunday slot to Saturday because Sunday is Remembrance Day, a national holiday. The Baku City Circuit is 105 miles from Azerbaijan's southern border with Iran, closer than the cancelled Gulf tracks. British travel advice, which is influential in F1's paddock, does not advise against travel to Baku and does not mention Iranian attacks or need to seek shelter.
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F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races due to Iran war
Races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are called off earlier this year as a consequence of the Iran war's turmoil to the international sports calendar. The Gulf nations host major U.S. military bases and were targeted by Iranian strikes.
“One consequence of the Iran war has been major turmoil to the international sports calendar and Formula 1 is no different.”
— James Ellingworth, Yahoo Sports correspondent · source -
background
Iran blamed for drone strike in Azerbaijan exclave — Azerbaijan blamed Iran for a drone strike that injured four civilians and damaged an airport building in the exclave of Nakchivan. The Iranian military denied launching the strike. The incident did not lead to major military escalation.
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5 outlets Why Formula 1 is racing in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran, amid uncertainty over Middle East races
first by Japan Today, 1d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, The Globe and Mail, Yahoo Sports, LancasterOnline