Middle East Conflict Disrupts F1 2026 Preparations

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted preparations for Formula 1's 2026 season, forcing teams to reroute travel plans and cancel preseason testing just days before the championship opener in Melbourne, Australia, on March 8.

Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Saturday targeting U.S. military facilities and other sites across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The attacks followed joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, which U.S. President Donald Trump described as the start of major combat operations. A U.S. naval base near Bahrain's capital, Manama, was hit, along with locations in Juffair, a area frequented by racing personnel. Strikes also affected areas near Qatar's capital, Doha, and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In response, several nations closed their airspace, suspending operations at key airports including Dubai International, Abu Dhabi International, and Doha's Hamad International. The closures stranded travelers and halted international flights, creating widespread logistical challenges.

The timing compounded issues for Formula 1, where around 2,000 team members, drivers, and staff were preparing for the...