Here's the thing, as Crash.net reports, the final two rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi "are going to happen" according to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Formula 1 is currently pushing forward with plans to close out the campaign with this double-header, standing firm despite the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran in the Middle East.
Adding further volatility to the region, entirely separately to the war, is a wave of missile attacks directed at Saudi Arabia by the Yemen Houthi rebel group. The UK announced on Tuesday that it is deploying RAF Typhoon jets to defend Saudi Arabia in response to these escalating drone and missile attacks. Even with all of this going on, expectations within the paddock remain that the races will go ahead as planned unless things change.
I am happy, yes of course. Listen, I don't think the FIA staff would be more important to me than myself or my family. But if I am there it means I feel secure about this.
Speaking to media including The Race on Tuesday, Ben Sulayem insisted that the governing body possesses "common sense here that we will never take our staff or drivers or any officials to a place where we feel it is risky - no way". When asked directly if Qatar and Abu Dhabi could host F1 in the current climate, he replied with a simple "Yeah, fine."
To back up his stance, the FIA president offered a personal perspective: "One thing I would say: I have my children there [in the UAE]. You think I would leave them there and I'm here now with you [if it was dangerous]? You have to be sensible in this. Saying, 'Are we going to have an issue?' is one thing. But what you read in the media is actually different than what we have there. What we read and see on TV, we say, 'Where is it?' We don't have that, really. Otherwise why would I stay there? Why would I leave my family there? Does this say that there is nothing that is going to happen? I can't predict this. I can only tell you today that there is nothing and the two races are going to happen."
Asked if he is comfortable with FIA personnel travelling to the events, Ben Sulayem responded: "I am happy, yes of course. Listen, I don't think the FIA staff would be more important to me than myself or my family. But if I am there it means I feel secure about this."
When pressed on whether Imola is on standby as a contingency plan should the situation shift and a replacement venue be required for the season finale, Ben Sulayem stated: "Of course, the FIA is always ready." Meanwhile, MotoGP teams have also been informed that the Qatar Grand Prix is expected to proceed on 8 November as scheduled after the promoter received assurances from local authorities.
