F1 Is Going Ahead With Qatar and Abu Dhabi Despite the Iran Conflict
Nothing has negatively developed in the region, specifically in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in recent months, travel advice still allows travel, travel insurance is valid, events are taking place (e.g.
- This year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was scrapped following the outbreak of the US and Israel's war with Iran.
- Image Credit: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool Imola Couldn’t Be Left Waiting “Indefinitely” “Imola was only an option in the event we made a decision not to go to the [Middle East] at the end of the season and it would have taken place on the Abu Dhabi weekend,” a statement from the FIA said.
- The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has kept the Middle East tense for most of the year.
After months of keeping Imola ready to replace Qatar and Abu Dhabi, F1 has told the circuit’s promoter it won’t be required.
The Las Vegas GP starts the last three rounds of the 2026 F1 season, followed by the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- F1 decided to push ahead after MotoGP’s Qatar GP went off without trouble last weekend.
- MotoGP last weekend in Qatar), and business has returned to a normal level in both countries, and the teams are all supportive of concluding the season as planned.
- F1 has told Imola it won’t be needed as a backup, so the 2026 season will end as planned with the Qatar GP on Nov.
- 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.”.
- F1 and the FIA are also following government travel advice, which still allows travel to both countries, and they haven’t ruled out a late change if things escalate.
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