Lewis Hamilton questions F1’s consistency over Middle East rounds as a mid-October decision nears on Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid heightened regional tensions linked to Iran.

F1 targets a 23-race season, with a mid-October call on the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi, while Saudi Arabia is likely dropped after Bahrain’s date change.

Hamilton contrasts scrutiny on Qatar and Abu Dhabi with Baku, which ran without public safety concerns despite Iran’s proximity: Baku ~350 miles from Tehran; Doha ~700; Abu Dhabi ~800.

He concedes he lacks full detail on the Gulf events but notes limited discussion of the Azerbaijan race’s risks, hoping peace allows both Abu Dhabi and Qatar to proceed.

Calendar calls blend security input from governments, promoters, and F1 advisers with logistics, covering freight routes, staffing, visas, and contingency planning for late-season flyaways.

Removing a Gulf round would likely cut the total below 23, and viable replacements are scarce this late given shipping lead times and contractual constraints.

[pb_fervogear_custom]Saudi Arabia is understood to be at risk after Bahrain’s date shift, increasing reliance on Qatar and Abu Dhabi.[/pb_fervogear_custom]

Teams seek clarity to book travel and allocate spares, while Hamilton’s Azerbaijan reminder challenges simple geographical assumptions in F1’s risk assessments.

Abu Dhabi’s finale status adds weight to the decision, with Hamilton reiterating he enjoys competing there and values the event’s staging.

Elsewhere, speculation over personnel moves and team strategies continues, but the immediate priority is firming the calendar for the Middle East run-in.

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Daniel Miller

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