Gasly trusts F1 will make the right call on Bahrain, Saudi races amid Middle East tension

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly says he trusts Formula 1 will make the right call on the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, which are in doubt amid escalating Middle‑East conflict and impact on the April calendar.

Why it matters:

The two events sit on a tight stretch of the schedule. Canceling them would create a three‑week gap in May and force successive race weekends, complicating car development, logistics and sponsor commitments with safety a priority.

The details:

• Bahrain (Apr 10‑12) and Saudi Arabia (Apr 17‑19) are under review after US‑Israel strikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliation against Gulf states.
• The opening three rounds – Australia, China and Japan – are confirmed and will run as scheduled.
• If the April races are dropped, Portimão (May 21‑23) and Imola (May 26‑28) become the next slots, compressing the calendar.
• A decision is expected by mid‑March; missing it could force a triple‑header or a three‑week gap, and the WEC has already postponed its Qatar opener.

What's next:

Gasly, who has family in the region, said the uncertainty feels personal as well as professional. He expects the FIA verdict by mid‑March, after which teams will re‑plan logistics. If the races are cancelled, Portimão or Imola are likely stand‑ins, but the spring schedule will remain tightly packed.