Formula 1 is gearing up for its arrival in Brazil, marking the conclusion of the American triple-header. Following the events in Austin and Mexico, São Paulo will host the third-to-last event of the season, which includes the Sprint Race format. Afterward, there will be a one-week break before the exciting debut of Formula 1 in Las Vegas, representing the third race on U.S. soil in 2023. The season will ultimately wrap up with the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi.
Formula 1 Facing Concerns: Could Middle East Events Impact the Abu Dhabi GP?
Ongoing events in the Middle East have garnered significant media attention due to their implications for local populations and affected regions. This situation cannot be disregarded, especially when it involves the organization of large-scale events like Formula 1 Grand Prix races, which entail the participation of a substantial number of people. Unfortunately, recent circumstances, including an attack on a facility near the Jeddah circuit during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, underscore the challenges faced by the motorsport world and the global community as a whole.
The leadership of Formula 1 and Liberty Media is closely monitoring the evolving situation, keeping tabs on developments, and evaluating security conditions. Importantly, they require the consent of the event organizers. Notably, the Bahrain circuit has not raised concerns for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), as evidenced by the upcoming final leg of the endurance racing championship taking place this weekend. A response from Abu Dhabi to Formula 1 is expected within the coming hours, possibly as early as this evening (Italian time). Teams have already been apprised of these ongoing deliberations since last weekend. A decision will be reached shortly, as teams need this information ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend for logistical reasons. As it stands, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is regarded as being at risk. This would mark the second event cancellation of the season due to force majeure, following the cancellation of the Imola Grand Prix due to a flood that struck the Emilia-Romagna region during the race week.
Should the Abu Dhabi GP be canceled, it would shift the Brazilian Grand Prix to the position of the second-to-last race of the year. This change would designate the Las Vegas race as the inaugural event concluding the season, a scenario that would not be unfavorable to Liberty Media. However, the loss of one event would carry significant financial implications, prompting the involvement of insurance policies. Furthermore, it would have substantial implications on the sporting aspect of the competition, particularly concerning the contests in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. The battle for second place between Mercedes and Ferrari remains up for grabs.
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