F1 teams have ‘already rejected’ Saudi Arabian Grand Prix proposal to reschedule race this season

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Despite a heavy push from Saudi Arabian officials to host an F1 race this season, teams are not willing to accept the new terms.

The Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grand Prix were cancelled in light of the geopolitical situation in the area, leading to an unexpected hiatus in the F1 season after just three races.

Earlier this week, there were rumours that Saudi Arabia could host a race in October should the conflict in the Middle East be resolved by then.

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There were suggestions that Formula 1 could host races at other locations, but given the timing of the situation, they weren’t able to arrange a replacement race in time.

Despite this, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix officials have made a huge push to bring Formula 1 to Jeddah this year. But they won’t be happy about the response they got from the FIA and team officials.

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Saudi Arabian GP’s ‘push’ to host race ‘already rejected’ by F1 teams

According to Autosport Web, Saudi Arabian authorities have been making a significant play to ensure they can host a race this season.

Their proposal included sandwiching their race between the Las Vegas and Qatar Grand Prix. However, F1 and team officials have rejected this proposal, presumably due to the compact schedule this move would produce.

Placing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in between the Las Vegas and Qatar Grand Prix would mean there would be four consecutive races to end the season.

As a result, F1 teams, along with FIA officials, have rejected this proposal, not wanting to put teams and drivers under such intense pressure and quick turnover time.

However, in the event that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are cancelled, Saudi Arabian officials would like to host one of the two final races in their backyard.

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Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix still in jeopardy

In the report, it was also revealed that the tenuous geopolitical situation has also cast doubt on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Stefano Domenicali imposing strict conditions to ensure the races can be conducted safely with no compromises.

Officials have seemingly set an unidentified deadline at the end of May to make a decision on whether the final races of the season will go through.

Given the circumstances that led to the cancellation of two races, it is believed that F1 officials would not like to cancel the final races of the season.

With the current situation, there is no clarity about whether Formula 1 will have to cancel the final two races of the season, as they did with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

There is still time for Formula 1 officials to make a decision, but with the self-imposed May deadline, things are not looking good for the prospect of racing in the region this year.