F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed the final two races of the season will proceed as scheduled, despite concerns from some drivers regarding regional conflicts.
Key facts
- •The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6.
- •F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated that 99 percent of tickets for the Abu Dhabi race have been sold.
- •The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were previously scrapped due to the US-led war with Iran.
- •Max Verstappen publicly expressed a preference for not racing in the region due to current geopolitical tensions.
- •Imola, Italy, was considered as a potential alternative location for the Emirati race.
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali announced on Saturday that the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as planned. Speaking on the sidelines of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, Domenicali stated that the organization has confirmed the schedule for the events on November 29 and December 6, respectively.
Status of the Final Races
Domenicali maintained that all arrangements for the final two Grands Prix are in order and that teams and drivers are being kept informed of the situation. He noted that 99 percent of tickets for the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi have already been sold, describing the event as one generating significant excitement. Earlier this season, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were canceled following the start of the US-led war with Iran.
Driver Concerns and Contingency Planning
Despite the official confirmation, some drivers have expressed reservations about competing in the region. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen stated that he would prefer the season not conclude in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to the proximity of the ongoing conflict. While acknowledging that the decision is not his to make, Verstappen suggested that the sport should avoid regions involved in active conflicts regardless of existing contracts. Reports indicate that moving the Emirati race to Imola, Italy, had been discussed as a potential contingency plan.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Channel NewsAsia, Al-Monitor.
