Formula 1: sport as a geopolitical weapon

In March 2026, just as the cars are set to race off in Melbourne to usher in a new technical era for Formula 1, two Grand Prix events are abruptly scrapped from the calendar. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not be hosting the single-seaters this year. The cause: a war between Iran and an American-Israeli axis, whose retaliatory strikes have hit the Gulf states. This cancellation lays bare, in a matter of hours, a truth: Formula 1 is not just a sport, it is an instrument of power. And when power falters, the calendar trembles with it. Since the championship was bought by the American firm Liberty Media in 2017, F1 has repositioned itself as a global entertainment brand and a vehicle for influence for states seeking international legitimacy. In doing so, it has become hostage to the world’s balances and imbalances.