PARIS: The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the president of motorsport’s governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said on Tuesday.
The last two Grands Prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.
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The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix earlier this year was scrapped following the outbreak of the United States and Israel’s war with Iran, while the Bahrain race was delayed and moved to Malaysia.
“We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” FIA chief Ben Sulayem said on social media.
“We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grands prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula One world championship.
“We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season. See you on the grid.”
Ben Sulayem’s comments echoed those made by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali last month.
One of the options discussed was moving the Abu Dhabi race to Imola in Italy if the Middle Eastern events could not go ahead, but F1 told the media on Tuesday that the Italian circuit had been told to stand down.
“We cannot let Imola wait indefinitely. Therefore we have informed them today that we will not require them at the end of the season,” an F1 official source said.
Drivers have expressed mixed feelings about racing in the Middle East, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen among those to voice reservations.
But F1 remains confident the races can proceed as scheduled.
“Travel advice still allows travel, travel insurance is valid, events are taking place (for example MotoGP last weekend in Qatar) and business has returned to a normal level in both countries,” the F1 source added.
“If the situation develops negatively in the coming weeks before the events in the Middle East we will not hesitate to do the right thing and the safety of everyone will always be the priority.”
Italian youngster Kimi Antonelli has already secured the drivers’ world championship title, while his Mercedes team clinched the constructors’ crown last weekend in Sao Paulo.
Several events in Saudi Arabia, which borders Qatar and the UAE, have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks following attacks on the country by Yemen’s Houthis.
