Ben Sulayem confirmed Qatar, Abu Dhabi F1 races would stay on schedule
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 20, 2026
Qatar races stayed
He said ongoing volatility in the Middle East had not changed the schedule and there was nothing at present to suggest either race should be moved or canceled. Ben Sulayem said the Qatar and Abu Dhabi venues were “fine” for Formula 1 and that he believed Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were currently safe.
He said he would not send FIA staff, drivers or officials anywhere he believed was unsafe or risky. He also said the situation in the Middle East was different from media coverage.
Safety drove plan
The FIA remained ready to use Imola as a backup venue if conditions changed. It had contingency plans and replacement personnel in case travel restrictions or official advice prevented key personnel from attending.
The timing of a decision on the races shifted from a mid-September deadline to mid-October.
