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Formula 1 ‘Set to Cancel’ Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Due to Middle East Conflict
Formula One bosses are expected to reach a decision on the future of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix within the next 48 hours as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate. Bombings across the region following the USA and Israel’s operation against Iran have shown little sign of easing since the war began two weeks ago.
The cars and other vital freight destined for the Gulf must begin their journey in the middle of next week, despite the races not taking place until April, leaving organisers with a tight window to act. F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem are expected to weigh the situation carefully, with the safety of the sport’s 3,000-strong travelling contingent a key factor.
They remain in close dialogue with both venue organisers, with whom long-standing relationships exist, as they attempt to navigate a sensitive situation where not only millions of pounds are at stake but potentially lives too. Bahrain Grand Prix – one of the pioneers of F1 in the region – pays up to £40 million to host its event, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix contributes even more, at around £60 million a year, making it one of the most lucrative stops on the current 24-race calendar alongside Qatar Grand Prix.
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F1 Bosses Expected to Make Decision Over GPs in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
According to the Daily Mail, the two in-doubt races are expected to be cancelled and will unlikely be replaced – that is in contrast to the scramble during the Covid lockdown in 2020 when F1’s top dogs successfully sought to piece together a reworked schedule to meet the obligations of their TV rights’ deals and to keep the sport afloat.
Domenicali and Ben Sulayem are also drawing up contingencies for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, which are the concluding two rounds at the end of November and start of December and may be critical to the championship’s outcome. “Those races are a long way off,” said one source within F1 Management. “We have options but it is far too early to contemplate those events being pulled.”
Explosions rocked a Bahrain oil facility as Iranian missiles targeted energy infrastructure last week. The Saudis also contribute their state-owned Aramco oil sponsorship, a partnership worth approximately £40m per season. That arrangement, it seems, will be unaffected by the almost-certain cancellations.
The Latest on Middle East Conflict
As of Friday afternoon, the Middle East is facing a major escalation, with a full-scale conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran now entering its third week. The fighting intensified in late February after strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, prompting widespread retaliation across the region.
Iran has since launched repeated missile and drone barrages at Israel – sometimes coordinated with Hezbollah – hitting northern and central areas and forcing millions of civilians into shelters. Israel has responded with heavy airstrikes targeting sites in Tehran and Beirut, as well as Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, where renewed ground operations have also been reported.
The conflict has widened further as Iran has targeted Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as Saudi oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Attacks on oil tankers and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sent global oil prices soaring and disrupted international shipping routes. Meanwhile, US military bases across the region have also come under attack.
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Enzo Fernandez situation amid the Argentine’s links with a Chelsea exit. The midfielder became the centre of one of the early transfer sagas this summer after requesting to leave amid interest from Real Madrid, but the World Cup has since taken centre stage.
Fernandez is currently in North America with Argentina, and he is playing a central role, scoring to complete a comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night. The World Cup champions came back from two goals down in the second half to keep their dream of retaining the World Cup alive.
In the meantime, Fernandez continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea.
Romano issues fresh Fernandez update
According to transfer guru Fabriio Romano, Fernandez is not going to be going anywhere until at least after the World Cup, and even then there will be talks with Chelsea before any kind of transfer progresses.
“Talking about Enzo, the situation will be discussed after the World Cup,” Romano said on his YouTube show. “Nothing will change during the World Cup. The agent of the player, Javier Pastore will talk to Chelsea after the World Cup to try to understand which one will be the best solution for all parties.
“Remember, this story started because Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea were not able to reach an agreement on the contract since the end of November or start of December, so the contract is still a problem between Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea. Then, let me tell you, after the Real Madrid statement, I saw some stories about Man City, but what I am aware, Man City are not in active talks to sign Enzo Fernandez at this stage.”
Chelsea to offload young forward
Meanwhile, Chelsea will be loaning out young talent Jesse Derry, with the young forward set to continue his development at a big club in Sporting CP.
Romano posted on X: “Jesse Derry to Sporting, here we go! Deal done on loan until June 2027, salary covered and no buy option. Chelsea got new deal done for Derry this week and now allow him to leave on loan to Sporting. Derry will return to #CFC in June 2027.”
Derry is a 19-year-old forward who has been impressing with the youth setup, and he has even made a senior appearance. The youngster is the son of former Crystal Palace defender Shaun Derry.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has explained why Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt should not have counted.
Argentina completed a remarkable comeback in their last 16 fixture to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
The reigning world champions found themselves on the verge of a shock elimination at the Atlanta Stadium after Mostafa Ziko put Egypt 2-0 up in the 67th minute.
However, two goals in four minutes from Cristian Romero and captain Lionel Messi, who leads the race for the Golden Boot award with eight goals this tournament, turned the game on its head.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez then sent the Argentina fans into raptures with the winning goal in stoppage-time.
Egypt Fume After Controversial Argentina Victory
Egypt’s players and coaching staff were furious, convinced they were the victims of a miscarriage of justice following a series of controversial decisions in the second half.
The Pharaohs had a 58th-minute goal disallowed following a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the opposite end of the pitch. They were also convinced they should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah moments before Fernandez netted the winner.
An emotional Ziko claimed the tournament was “rigged” in favour of Argentina after the match, while Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan was quoted saying:
“They want Argentina and Messi to stay in the World Cup for marketing.”
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Ian Wright Casts Strong Verdict
Meanwhile, ITV Sport pundit Ian Wright offered his verdict on the late drama, arguing Argentina’s third and final goal should have been disallowed.
The 62-year-old believes referee Francois Letexier’s decision to disallow Egypt’s goal earlier in the second half set a precedent that meant Salah should have been awarded a penalty before Fernandez scored.
“That’s what happening with VAR now, they’re pulling it back,” Wright said.
“If you’re going to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the box to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this one with Mo Salah.”
Wright added: “He’s been caught. Whatever we say, it might be minimal, he’s been caught and then they go up the other end.” Watch the clip below:
Wright’s former England teammate and Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer appeared to be in agreement on X (Twitter). The Newcastle United legend tweeted:
“Either both are fouls or neither is a foul. But they’re not going to re-referee they told us.”
Argentina will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals at the Kansas City Stadium on Saturday night (Sunday, 2am BST). The winners will play either England or Norway in the semi-finals on July 15, back at the Atlanta Stadium.
Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the summer transfer window, and Samuel Luckhurst has now provided an update on their pursuit.
The Red Devils are being linked with a host of different midfielders this summer, with Scott believed to be on their list.
Reports have suggested that United have held talks over a move to sign the English midfielder, but Bournemouth are hoping to extend his contract.
Scott has become one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League since his move to the Cherries, and he’s attracting interest from a number of clubs.
United’s priority is to bring in at least one midfielder this summer, and Scott is a name on a lengthy shortlist.
Man Utd: Alex Scott update
Journalist Luckhurst has now provided an update on Manchester United’s move to sign Bournemouth midfielder Scott in the summer transfer window.
The reliable reporter claims that United haven’t ruled out making a bid to sign the English star, despite the Cherries valuing him at £80m.
Scott is now United’s preferred midfield target after missing out on both Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
Despite the £80 million valuation, United are yet to formally end their interest, and they remain in the race to secure his signature.
Luckhurst confirms that Bournemouth are looking to tie him down to a new contract, and it’s almost certain that that would include a release clause.
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Man Utd can’t miss out on another target
Understandably, United didn’t want to pay the kind of fees that Tottenham and Manchester City forked out for Fernandes and Anderson.
The Red Devils are looking to be clever with their recruitment in the summer transfer window, understandably.
They are hoping to avoid overpaying for players, but they can’t afford to continue missing out on key targets. They need to bite the bullet at some point.
Whether Scott is the player they push the button on in the summer window remains to be seen, but there is no doubt they need midfield reinforcements to arrive through the door over the coming weeks.
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