Formula 1 is set to cancel its upcoming races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over security concerns because of the war in the Middle East, Sky Sports News understands.
A grand prix was scheduled in each country next month, with Bahrain’s race on 12 April and Saudi Arabia’s on 19 April.
The decision is expected to be officially confirmed within the next two days. As of writing, both events still appear on the Formula 1 schedule.
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Sky Sports News understands the set-to-be-cancelled Middle East races will likely not be replaced on F1’s March-December calendar, meaning the season would run to 22 Grands Prix weekends.
The outlet reported that the decision comes as the situation in the Middle East has not improved in recent days. Both organisations declined to comment.
Formula 1 races are also set to be held in the Middle East this winter, with Grands Prix in Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December.
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Mohammed Ben Sulayem, head of the FIA, said on Monday that “safety and wellbeing” will be the main concern when deciding on whether the races will go ahead.
It comes as several major banks closed their branches in Gulf states and evacuated staff from their building in the wake of Iranian strikes.
Standard Chartered began evacuating staff from offices in Dubai and told them to work from home, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing two sources.
Citigroup, an American bank, also told its staff to evacuate offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai’s Oud Metha neighbourhood.
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JP Morgan said its employees in the Middle East would also be working from home “for the time being” but said its businesses and client servicing “remain uninterrupted”.
And HSBC has closed all branches in Qatar until further notice, according to a customer notice, saying the measure is to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
“The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our top priority,” a HSBC spokesperson said.
