Mohamed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that the 2026 Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are expected to go ahead as scheduled despite continuing concerns surrounding the conflict in the Middle East. The FIA president sought to reassure Formula 1 teams, drivers and officials over the security situation, pointing out that members of his own family are currently in the United Arab Emirates.
The situation has already had a direct impact on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was recently held under that name at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit rather than in Bahrain. Attention is now turning towards the championship’s final two rounds, with the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 29 November and Abu Dhabi following on 6 December.
F1 and the war in the Middle East
There have been few encouraging signs of peace in the Middle East conflict in recent weeks, with the situation in the region continuing to affect Formula 1 indirectly. Earlier in the season, the championship was forced to cancel the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually staged in Malaysia.
The main questions now concern the final two events of the championship: the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit on 29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina on 6 December. With the regional situation remaining delicate, doubts had emerged over whether both races would be able to take place.
The security picture remains extremely sensitive. In addition to continuing missile attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, several locations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh airport, have been hit by Yemen’s Houthi movement. In Israel and the West Bank, meanwhile, some Israeli settlers have carried out attacks against Palestinians and foreign nationals.
Against that backdrop, Formula 1 appeared to face the possibility of cancelling its final two races as well, with a potential return to Imola emerging as an alternative. However, reassurance that both events will remain on the calendar has now come directly from FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem.
Mohamed Ben Sulayem confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs
Speaking during a meeting with the media, Mohamed Ben Sulayem sought to reassure those concerned about the planned races at Lusail and Yas Marina, stressing that the FIA would not send personnel or drivers into an environment it considered unsafe.
“Here we use common sense: we would never take our staff, the drivers or the officials to a place that we believe is risky; absolutely not,” Mohamed Ben Sulayem said. “I would like to add one thing: my children are there in the United Arab Emirates. Do you really think I would leave them there, while I am here with you, if the situation were dangerous?
“We have to be reasonable. Asking ourselves, ‘Could we have some problems?’ is one thing, but what you read in the media is very different from the reality we experience there. When we read or see certain things on TV, we ask ourselves: ‘Where is this happening?’ None of that is happening where we are.
“Otherwise, why would I stay there? Why would I leave my family there? Does that mean nothing will happen? I cannot predict that. I can only tell you that, as of today, there is no problem and the two races will take place as scheduled. I am calm.
“I don’t believe FIA personnel are more important to me than I am myself or than my family is. But if I am there, it means I feel safe.”
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