F1 Races in Qatar & Abu Dhabi Get Green Light Amidst Conflict!
F1 Races in Qatar & Abu Dhabi Get Green Light Amidst Conflict!
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will proceed as planned, despite ongoing Middle East conflict. Get the full details on the season's final races and driver concerns here!
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the final races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as planned, despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The announcement was made on Saturday, underscoring the sport's commitment to its current schedule. The decision comes after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were scrapped earlier this season due to the start of a US-led war with Iran.
Domenicali made his statements to French broadcaster Canal+ on the sidelines of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was itself relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. He later reiterated his position to Sky Sport Italia, confirming the schedule for the final two grands prix of the year: Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Domenicali insisted that "everything was in order" regarding the upcoming races, adding that teams and drivers were being kept fully informed of the situation. He highlighted the significant excitement for the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, noting that 99% of tickets had already been sold.
However, not all drivers are comfortable with competing in the Gulf region during this period of heightened tension.
Max Verstappen, who was set to start from pole position in Malaysia, expressed his reservations earlier in the week.
Normally I am happy to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but you know, when there is a war nearby, and if some of the countries are in conflict with each other, then I think we shouldn't go,
Verstappen told ViaPlay, acknowledging that the decision was not his to make.
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton reportedly hopes F1 is able to conclude the season in the Middle East, indicating a divided opinion among the drivers. Amidst the discussions, one alternative considered was moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy, but this option was ultimately not pursued. For now, F1 is set to conclude its season in the Gulf region as originally scheduled.
