F1 Confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi Races Will Go Ahead Amid Middle‑East Tensions
The FIA and Formula 1 have pledged to run both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix as scheduled, despite escalating diplomatic strains in the Gulf region.
Formula 1 will race in both Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally planned, even though the Gulf region is experiencing heightened diplomatic tensions. The decision was confirmed by FIA President Mohammed Ben‑Abdelkader in a statement to the media, and echoed by the sport’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media. Both Middle East Online and Al Jazeera reported that the governing body has assessed the security situation and concluded that the events can proceed safely.
Why the races matter
The Qatar Grand Prix, a relatively new addition to the calendar, is set for early November and will be the first F1 night race in the country. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, the season‑closing venue since 2009, traditionally hosts the championship finale in early December. Together they bookend the final stretch of the 2026 season, meaning any disruption would have a domino effect on the championship battle.
Both venues have invested heavily in infrastructure and hospitality, and the races are key revenue generators for the sport’s Middle‑East expansion strategy. The FIA’s assurance comes after reports of diplomatic rows involving Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other regional actors, which raised concerns about travel restrictions, visa issues and the safety of teams, staff and fans.
Security assessments carried out by the FIA in collaboration with local authorities have reportedly found no credible threats to the circuits. In addition, the sport’s logistics partner, Formula One Management, has confirmed that all freight and personnel movements will follow standard protocols, with contingency plans in place should the political climate shift further.
For Indian fans
Indian viewers can watch both events live on FanCode, which holds the official streaming rights for the 2026 season. The Qatar race will kick off at 20:00 IST on 2 November, while the Abu Dhabi finale is slated for 20:00 IST on 7 December. Both races will also be available on the official F1 TV app for Indian subscribers. Fans planning to travel to the Middle East should keep an eye on visa updates and follow the latest travel advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Source: Al Jazeera