Melbourne’s Albert Park could host a second Formula One Grand Prix this season as the sport confronts the very real possibility of losing two consecutive races due to the escalating conflict following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 20 are both in serious jeopardy, with a decision expected by March 20.
Both Gulf nations have been struck by Iranian missiles in recent days, and with US President Donald Trump indicating military operations could continue for another four to five weeks, the timeline sits uncomfortably close to race day.
Australian government ‘Do Not Travel’ alerts have been issued for Bahrain, with similar warnings in place for Saudi Arabia.
Circuits including Portimao, Imola, and Istanbul were floated as short-notice replacements, while Victoria’s government signalled its willingness to step in.
‘If needed, we would absolutely be ready and willing to have a conversation,’ a source told News Corp.
Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri with Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President Stefano Domenicali and the World Championship trophy in 2025
Damage following a drone attack on a high-rise apartment building in Bahrain’s capital Manama
Piastri could get two chances to impress at home if the Middle East races are cancelled and Melbourne hosts two GPs in 2026
‘Ultimately, it’s up to F1, but we already host one, so why not two?’
However, F1 officials have effectively ruled out replacement races altogether, deeming the logistics insurmountable.
Should both races be cancelled, the season shrinks from 24 rounds to 22, leaving a five-week void between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and Miami in early May.
For F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the road to Melbourne was itself an ordeal.
With staff spread across Dubai, Bahrain, and Doha as the conflict intensified, F1 was forced to activate a special evacuation program.
A planned Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain was among the first casualties.
‘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,’ Domenicali said.
‘We had a lot of flights booked through the Middle East, so it has been a very intense couple of days to reschedule everything with the help of the governments.
‘We had a special program to take all of the people in this region out, which was a challenge, therefore to be here is a great success.
‘People sometimes believe it’s just 30 or 40 people in a team. We have 3000 people who have to move around the world. It’s a big beast.’
Domenicali met with all team principals in Melbourne on Saturday, urging patience while emphasising that safety remains the absolute priority.
‘Our approach, first of all, is safety for all the relevant stakeholders, the people and also the promoter itself,’ he said.
‘We don’t want to do any statement today because, you know, things are so evolving, so changing, that we have still time to make the right decision. And this decision will be taken together.’
