The current war in the Middle East has had a wide-ranging effect on the world. This includes sports, with events being cancelled and postponed in the affected areas.
In March and April, three different racing series were supposed to go to the Middle East. All of these events have now been either cancelled or postponed. In motorsport, the first series to decide what to do with their race, weeks before everyone else, was the World Endurance Championship.
FIA World Endurance Championship
The WEC series decided to postpone the Qatar 1812km, originally scheduled for 26-28 March, to 22-24 October. The prologue for the championship is now 14th April, just before the season opener 19th April both in Imola.
In the press release for the rescheduling, it read: “The safety and security of competitors, personnel and fans remain of the utmost importance to QMMF, LIC, the FIA and the FIA WEC organisation, and all parties will continue to monitor developments across the region.”
Formula 1 cancelled all the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. This also includes the Formula 2 rounds cancelled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Formula 3 cancelling Bahrain, and F1 Academy cancelling Saudi Arabia. Both races were scheduled for April. Now there will be no racing between Japan and Miami, which takes place from 1-3 May.
The F1 paddock were in Bahrain in February for preseason testing.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding, as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion,“ said Stefano Domenicali, F1 president. “We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so.”
The two rounds will not be replaced, bringing the calendar from a 24-round season to 22 races. While the Formula 1 will not be replaced, rumours have emerged that the feeder series for the championship, such as Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy, are seeking replacements for the rounds they have had to cancel.
MotoGP followed World Endurance’s decision to the Qatar Grand Prix. The race originally scheduled for April has been moved to 6-8 November. Speaking about the decision, the CEO of MotoGP, Carmelo Ezpeleta, said:
“Our priority is always the safety and well-being of everyone involved in MotoGP, as well as ensuring that every Grand Prix is delivered to the highest possible standard.We also recognise the importance of providing clarity for our fans as early as possible, and ticket holders will be given the opportunity to rollover their tickets to the next event.”
The event has not just moved one race but three. The final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia have also been pushed back a week, so the season finishes just before December. As they have the same calendar, both Moto2 and Moto3 follow the changes that MotoGP have made.
While the postponement and cancellation of many races were not a surprise to many, the gap in racing will be difficult for fans to wait. Countries like Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have all been accused of sportswashing. This means hosting events to shift the country’s narrative. However, is this what happens when you race in countries that sportswash?
