Sulayem Speaks: The FIA’s Position As The Middle East Crisis Deepens

This week, as missile strikes spread across the Gulf and airspace closures disrupted travel across multiple nations, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stepped forward with a message that cut through the noise. When a region as strategically important as the Middle East erupts into open conflict, the ripple effects reach far beyond politics and military headlines.

Motorsport feels those shocks immediately. The entire industry runs on global movement freight planes, commercial flights, and thousands of personnel crossing borders every week. When that system breaks, the sport breaks with it.

He didn’t talk about schedules or contracts. He talked about safety, stability, and the reality that the sport cannot operate normally while the region is in crisis. For a man who grew up in the Gulf and understands its complexities firsthand, the moment demanded clarity. And he delivered it.

Sulayem Puts Safety First

Ben Sulayem issued a formal statement addressing the growing military activity. His message was direct: safety comes before everything else. “Safety and well‑being will guide our decisions,” he said, referring to both the World Endurance Championship and Formula One events planned in the region. This wasn’t a generic press release.

Iranian strikes have hit Bahrain, the same country that hosted F1 testing weeks earlier, and areas where F1 personnel routinely stay. The crisis intensified after Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed in a joint U.S.–Israel operation, triggering retaliatory strikes and widespread flight suspensions from major Gulf carriers. Airspace that normally serves as a major travel corridor was effectively shut down overnight.

Uncertainty For Bahrain And Saudi Arabia

Formula One is scheduled to return to the region in April 2026, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia hosting back‑to‑back races. Both are now under a cloud of uncertainty. Formula One Management said it is monitoring the situation, noting that the next three races are outside the Middle East, but the implication was clear: nothing is guaranteed.

The disruption is already visible. A Pirelli tire test in Bahrain was halted as strikes began. McLaren, Mercedes, and Pirelli staff sheltered in their hotels until conditions stabilized. Teams scrambled to reroute travel for the Australian Grand Prix.

Rumors of Ferrari staff stranded in Doha were denied, but the fact that such rumors spread shows how fragile the situation is. Australian GP CEO Travis Auld confirmed that travel plans had to be reshuffled but said all freight arrived as scheduled. Australia will race without issue. Bahrain and Jeddah remain question marks.

A Statement That Felt Personal

Sulayem’s message stood out because it didn’t sound like bureaucracy. “My thoughts are with all those affected,” he said. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life.” He called for dialogue, protection of civilians, and unity within the FIA community.

For a governing body often criticized for being distant, the tone felt unusually direct. Sulayem’s connection to the region gives his words added weight. He isn’t speaking from afar. He’s speaking about home.

Implications For The 2026 Calendar

If Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cannot host their races, Formula One faces a major scheduling problem. Replacing or rescheduling two early‑season rounds would be extremely difficult. Broadcasters, promoters, and freight logistics all depend on long‑planned timelines.

But the bigger issue is safety. Hundreds of team members, media workers, and support staff must be able to enter and exit the region without risk. If that cannot be guaranteed, the races cannot happen, and Sulayem made it clear that safety will dictate every decision.

There is still time for conditions to change. Diplomatic efforts, military developments, and airspace restrictions could shift before April. Formula One has navigated crises before, but few have escalated this quickly or carried this level of uncertainty.

What’s Next

Mohammed Ben Sulayem stepped forward at a moment when clarity mattered. He didn’t dodge the issue. He put people ahead of schedules and safety ahead of prestige. Whatever happens to the 2026 calendar, that stance sets the tone for how the FIA intends to move forward. The world is watching the Middle East. So is the FIA. And for now, caution is the only responsible position the sport can take.