As RaceFans reports, Carlos Sainz Jnr has serious doubts whether the final two rounds of the Formula 1 season in the Middle East will actually go ahead as planned. The November and December races in Losail, Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates have been under a cloud for months due to the ongoing war between the US and Iran. That same conflict previously forced the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix in April, with the former having to be relocated 6,000 kilometres away to Malaysia.
Series CEO Stefano Domenicali previously indicated a decision was needed by mid-September, yet no final announcement has been made. While Formula One Management and the FIA continue to insist the races will proceed, they have quietly made arrangements for Imola in Italy to step in as the venue for the finale if necessary.
Speaking as a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director, Sainz acknowledged that F1’s governing body and commercial rights holder “seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead.” But on a personal level, the Ferrari driver finds it difficult to share that optimism given the volatile political landscape, pointing to events in the Middle East and upcoming midterm elections in the United States that could abruptly shift the global situation in the next month or month and a half.
Despite his skepticism, Sainz made it clear that the drivers ultimately intend to follow the guidance of the series. “We don’t have as much political information, as much inside information as they have, for sure, so we need to follow their lead and trust in their decision-making, but only as it stands,” he said. He added that the world can change rapidly and everyone must remain diligent and reactive.
Meanwhile, the Losail International Circuit released a statement highlighting its upcoming major events next month, which include the Formula 1 grand prix and a rescheduled round of the MotoGP championship originally slated for April. Sainz emphasized that the GPDA recognizes its own limitations when it comes to geopolitical affairs, noting that drivers do not possess the contacts and intelligence available to Formula 1 and the FIA.
Fellow driver Oscar Piastri echoed that sentiment, stating that the competitors are prepared to put “our trust in the FIA and F1” given that the sport has navigated difficult situations involving conflicts in the past. Looking toward the contingency plan, Piastri joked about the prospect of racing in Italy instead: “We might have to get some snowploughs out if we race in Imola. But I think I’ll leave it to F1. I think Imola has just been touted as the replacement, then hopefully it’s above zero. That’s all I ask for.”
