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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed full confidence that Formula 1's season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as scheduled, despite heightened geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.
Regional military conflict earlier this year already forced organizers to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, with the Bahrain event relocated to Malaysia. The situation has been further compounded by continued attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a sharp decline in crude oil exports.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen also escalated following a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which claimed 13 lives. While the airport has since resumed limited operations and the UK has pledged fighter jets to assist in the kingdom's defense, the proximity of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the unrest has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the season finale.
A few weeks ago, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated that staging the Middle Eastern double-header remains 'Plan A' for the sport, with Italy's Imola circuit on standby as a contingency option in case of further escalation. However, cancellation talk has cooled considerably in recent weeks, with confidence also bolstered by MotoGP teams receiving confirmation that their postponed race in Qatar will take place in November.
Speaking to the media, Ben Sulayem insisted he has no safety concerns surrounding the events, pointing out that his own family continues to live in the Emirates.
"Everything is fine. My children are there — do you think I would leave them if there was real danger? We have to be sensible. What is portrayed in the media and on television often differs from the reality on the ground. I cannot predict the future, but as of today, I can confirm there is no immediate threat and both races will go ahead," the FIA chief said. "The FIA is prepared for every scenario. If travel restrictions are imposed, we have backup teams of race directors and stewards ready. At the same time, we are guided by common sense — we would never put staff, drivers, or officials at risk," the FIA president added.
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