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Formula 1 is set to make a decision by mid-October regarding whether the sport will proceed with its final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu and his Audi counterpart, Mattia Binotto, have confirmed this date as the deadline for determining if Formula 1 will risk traveling to the Middle East.
The two races have effectively been listed as "to be confirmed" following the outbreak of conflict in the region between Iran and the United States in February. Despite intermittent promises of peace, no ceasefire has been achieved to date.
Formula 1 had previously indicated that, in the absence of an official cancellation, both races remained on the calendar and were expected to go ahead. However, a deadline has now been imposed, which is understandable given the teams' logistical requirements and advance planning needed for participation in both events.
"I believe Stefano (Domenicali) aims to inform us by mid-October, so we will all know the situation," Komatsu noted. He also confirmed that Imola is preparing to host the season finale if necessary.
Binotto added: "As we discussed during Monday's Formula 1 Commission meeting, mid-October is the latest possible moment for such a decision."
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