USA-Iran war, consequences also on motoring
The conflict in the Middle East sparked by the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran has also had consequences on a sporting level. Iranian reprisals against other countries have caused a regional escalation of the war, which puts the stability of the entire area at risk.
Among the states involved there is also the Qatarwhich suspended all football activities following the missiles launched towards Doha. It is expected that the decision of the Qatari authorities will also extend to motorsport, which has many prominent races scheduled for early spring. The prologue that opens the championship takes place in Lusail (22-23 March) and the 1812 km on 28 March, and a little later the MotoGP weekend takes place (10-12 April).
Obviously the problem is not only the (primary) one of the safety of the riders, the public and all team and Federation members, but also the logistical one. Getting the material to the Arabian Peninsula is almost impossible: most Middle Eastern countries have in fact closed their airspace, and even just the trip to Australia has forced the Formula 1 teams to reschedule their flights.
At the moment the FIA, through President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has limited itself to expressing sorrow over the geopolitical tensions, hoping for a rapid return to stability. The Emirati underlined that “safety and well-being will guide our decisions in evaluating upcoming WEC and Formula 1 events“. Yes, because the Circus is also involved: not only have the Pirelli tests in Bahrain been cancelled, but after Melbourne, China and Suzuka the calendar includes Sakhir (10-12 April) and Jeddah (17-19 April).
