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Williams driver Carlos Sainz has admitted he finds it difficult to share Formula 1 management's confidence that the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will definitely go ahead as scheduled, citing the ongoing military conflict across the region.
Both Formula 1 leadership and the FIA continue to maintain that the final two rounds of the championship, slated for late November and the first weekend of December, will proceed without any changes to the calendar.
However, tensions in the Middle East remain extremely high amid the standoff involving the US and its ally Israel against Iran, coupled with renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. Regional developments could also be swayed by the upcoming US elections on November 3, with media outlets reporting that Washington and Israel may be planning further strikes against Iran following the vote.
Formula 1 has reportedly drafted a contingency plan with a backup season finale at Italy's Imola circuit on the dates originally reserved for Abu Dhabi. Despite this, top championship officials continue to express confidence in hosting both events in the Middle East, backed by current intelligence and safety guarantees from local promoters.
Sainz, who serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), suggested it is simply too early to make definitive assumptions given the volatile situation.
“They seem completely convinced that the races will go ahead,” the Spaniard remarked regarding the comments made by FIA and F1 bosses in Austin. “From my personal viewpoint, without representing the official stance of the GPDA, it's quite hard to be certain right now because so much is happening in the Middle East.”
“On top of that, we have the US elections and other political developments that could dramatically alter the landscape over the next month and a half. That’s why I feel it’s premature to be so certain.”
Nevertheless, the driver acknowledged that the grid ultimately has to place their trust in F1 leadership, as the governing bodies have access to more comprehensive security briefings on the ground.
“As of right now, the plan is to travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If the FIA and Formula 1 deem it safe and appropriate, we as drivers have to respect their judgment,” Sainz added. “We don't have the same access to inside information that they do, so we have to trust their assessment. But that’s the reality today—the world could change drastically in the coming weeks. We need to be ready to adapt to events rather than just going ahead simply because it was originally scheduled.”
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