Qatar GP federation president: “The date will not be moved”
The president of Qatar’s motorsport federation has explained that the Qatar Grand Prix, currently scheduled for November 29, will not be moved to make room for any potential rescheduling of the Bahrain or Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
Qatar GP staying on November 29
The conflict involving Iran has naturally had repercussions across the sporting world, with both Formula 1 and MotoGP forced to reconsider parts of their calendars. Earlier this year, conditions were not suitable for racing in the Middle East, and even now, as summer approaches, there has been no significant improvement that could first ease tensions in the region and then allow organizers to confidently plan Grand Prix events.
Formula 1 continues to monitor the situation while evaluating the possibility of rescheduling one of the Middle Eastern races that could not take place in April, namely Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. However, there is a clear understanding that finding room for both events would be impossible.
Even bringing back a single race presents major logistical challenges. The complexity of the Formula 1 calendar means that any adjustment requires careful planning and coordination, even if the geopolitical situation were to stabilize in the coming months.
Qatar draws a line
Another obstacle has now emerged in the form of comments from Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, president of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation. Al-Mannai made it clear that the Qatar Grand Prix date of November 29 will not be changed to accommodate any potential replacement races.
He stressed that the Qatar event is closely linked to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leaving very little room for flexibility in the schedule: “No, the date will not be moved. I don’t think there will be any changes because we are practically just one step away from Abu Dhabi, which is the final round,” he told The Athletic.
“I think it is really difficult to move any date at this point.”
Possible alternatives under consideration
Among the options being studied by Formula 1 is the possibility of placing a rescheduled event between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 4. Such a solution would avoid overcrowding the calendar at the end of the season, but it would require a substantial logistical effort from teams, organizers and suppliers.
For now, however, these remain only theoretical possibilities. Any rescheduling plan would depend on a rapid improvement in the geopolitical situation across the Middle East.
It is also clear that Formula 1 has a deadline in mind for making a final decision, most likely before the summer break, while alternative contingency plans are already being evaluated to maintain a full and balanced calendar should the situation remain unresolved.
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