Formula 1: The Iran war is slowing down motorsport

WAt least the rapidly rising oil prices are not a big problem for Formula 1. Since this season, the racing cars have been powered by 100% sustainable fuel and half of the 1000 hp come from an electric machine anyway. But what use are 22 crisis-proof racing cars alone against the events in Iran that are paralyzing the entire Gulf region? The motorsport caravan consists of more than 2,000 people who fly around the world with the cars. After the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai this weekend, discussions about the controversial new technical rules will continue. At the top of the agenda for Formula 1 owners Liberty Media, the World Automobile Association Fia and the eleven racing teams is the pressing question of what will happen next with the racing calendar.

After the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March, the World Championship races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to take place in quick succession in April. They were deliberately placed this way to avoid Ramadan and are now in jeopardy. Because Formula 1 is running out of time because of the Iran war.

The enormous logistics for the horsepower circus work better and more reliably than the new generation of racing cars, but they are also complicated and require appropriate advance planning. It’s not just about the material for the pit crews, which, like the cars, is flown in on six Boeing 777 freighters. The large and heavy structures are transported by ship. Which saves money, but now exacerbates the problem, because the sea route currently appears to be even more dangerous than the air routes.

Paddock insiders therefore assume that the two Arabian races will be officially canceled after the Grand Prix in Shanghai. Apparently the teams had already agreed on a possible waiver in Melbourne, where parts of the racing teams had only reached with great difficulty and even via Tanzania due to the outbreak of war. As a truly global sport, the premier class is always particularly vulnerable to complicated world situations.

Organizing two replacement locations quickly – Portimão and Imola are under discussion – hardly seems possible

Travel warnings and insurance questions probably leave no other choice, quite apart from common sense. There are very practical considerations behind this. Nobody wants to risk personnel or material getting stuck in the Middle East, especially since the following race in Miami is one of the most important and lucrative of the entire year. “The first priority for us is the safety of everyone involved, the people and the organizer himself,” emphasizes Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali, who has so far played a wait-and-see approach, but has been reassessing the situation every day for the past two weeks. No one can guarantee him the security he needs, not even a possible ceasefire. The race in Bahrain had to be canceled in 2011 due to severe political unrest, and in 2022, Houthi rebels shelled a refinery near the racetrack in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Russian Grand Prix was removed from the calendar four years ago on the day after the war of aggression against Ukraine began.

The Italian Domenicali is the governor of the US entertainment group Liberty Media, which owns the Formula 1 rights. They want everything there, but no negative headlines. Previous owner Bernie Ecclestone and his friend and lawyer Max Mosley, conveniently also the top motorsport official, were never so squeamish about previous crises. There was danger in Asia despite bird flu; Acts of war that crossed the path of Formula 1 were also ignored – please don’t act like that. Opposition pointless.

Given today’s media attention, this recklessness would be unthinkable. More than ever, motorsport athletes are required to take the highest level of responsibility in all areas. Dubai-born FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has already had the World Endurance Racing Championship race planned for March 28 in Qatar canceled for reasons of “security and well-being”, is statesmanlike: “In this time of uncertainty, we hope for calm, security and a rapid return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of the civilian population must be the priority.” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff puts it more simply: “In these times, Formula 1 is only the second priority.”

Of course, as always in Formula 1, it’s also about money. It’s no different today, except that the amounts have increased exponentially. Last year, the booming racing series paid out a good $1.4 billion in royalties to the teams, a large part of which came from entry and advertising money for the 24 races. If the two highly lucrative guest appearances on the Gulf were canceled, more than eight percent of revenue would be missing. This would also have a significant impact on royalties. The racing team bosses, who have a say in the cancellation, have already calculated that they will save significantly on travel and transport costs.

Organizing two replacement locations quickly, as Formula 1 managed so brilliantly during the Corona pandemic, hardly seems possible this time. The routes in Portimão, Portugal, and in Domenicali’s Italian hometown, Imola, that were brought into play would have to organize a race straight away – and, above all, refinance it, which is rather unlikely despite all the spontaneous enthusiasm of the audience. And there is not enough space in the racing calendar to catch up on the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia later in the year. The two Arab race organizers may even make a small compensation payment for the waiver for reasons of prestige. The oil states want to maintain their influence, especially since they are key financial backers for the McLaren, Aston Martin and Audi racing teams. The Saudis are also repeatedly said to be planning to buy Formula 1 as a whole.