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FIA Confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs Will Proceed as Planned
Highlights
- FIA president confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi races proceed as scheduled
- Ben Sulayem expresses confidence in regional safety despite Middle East tensions
- Imola circuit remains backup venue if security concerns arise
- FIA prepared to adjust plans based on travel restrictions or safety
- Mid-October deadline passed with no changes to final two races
- Ben Sulayem highlights difference between media reports and on-ground reality
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirms the 2026 Formula 1 finales in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as scheduled, with contingency plans retained amid instability in the Middle East.
Asked directly about safety, Ben Sulayem replies, “Yeah – fine,” stressing the FIA will not place staff or drivers in harm’s way and will act if credible risks emerge.
Imola remains on standby as a backup venue. The FIA’s security and logistics teams continue monitoring travel restrictions and regional developments to trigger adjustments if the risk profile shifts.
Initial paddock guidance set a mid‑September cut‑off, later pushed to mid‑October. The stance shifted to proceed unless notified, echoed by the recent F1 Middle East update.
The mid‑October checkpoint passed without changes to the final two races.
Regional tension persists. Recent missile strikes reportedly sank two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concern about maritime routes that underpin freight schedules for F1 operations.
Yemeni Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, including at Riyadh’s international airport, caused at least 13 fatalities. Separate incidents involving settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank further complicate security assessments.
Ben Sulayem counters that media portrayals can overstate visible risks. Citing his children’s residence in the UAE, he argues he would not remain there if conditions were genuinely unsafe.
“We will not put our people at risk,” Ben Sulayem reiterates.
He indicates comfort with FIA travel plans and staffing. Earlier this year, the federation implemented changes requested by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, including cancellations and location shifts where appropriate.
Contingency protocols and a dedicated response team remain in place. For now, the expectation is both events proceed as planned, echoed by the Abu Dhabi GP message issued last week.
Imola is retained as the designated fallback for any late disruption.
Practically, teams plan freight, staffing, and simulator work around a stable finale. That clarity supports programmes and cost‑cap compliance, while title contenders refine targets after recent Verstappen Qatar‑Abu Dhabi comments.
Visual Summary
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F1’s High-Wire Finale: Qatar & Abu Dhabi Races To Go Ahead
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FIA Confirms: Middle East F1 season finale remains on track despite regional dangers.
FIA Confirms: Middle East F1 season finale remains on track despite regional dangers.
President Ben Sulayem: “Yeah – fine.”
No current plans to cancel Qatar or Abu Dhabi races.
No current plans to cancel Qatar or Abu Dhabi races.
Event Security: Scrutinized Daily
Imola remains on standby as Plan B.
Imola remains on standby as Plan B.
💬 FIA won’t “put staff or drivers in harm’s way.”
Reality on ground differs from dramatic headlines.
Reality on ground differs from dramatic headlines.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
