Drivers express uncertainty over 2026 Formula 1 Gulf races

Drivers express uncertainty over Gulf races

Carlos Sainz says it is "very difficult to be convinced right now" that the 2026 Formula 1 season will finish its final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Sainz spoke ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where he cited Middle East conflicts and the US midterm elections on November 3 as reasons for his hesitation. The Williams driver, who is a director for the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said the political situation could change suddenly in the next month. He told reporters that while the FIA and Formula 1 seem convinced the races will go ahead, drivers lack the inside information held by series officials. Sainz also noted that drivers must follow the lead of the FIA and trust their decision-making if the scenario is safe. When asked if the GPDA felt compelled to raise concerns, Sainz said the organization does not have the political information or the contacts that Formula 1 and the FIA possess. He said the drivers must stay reactive to changes and avoid attending the races simply because they want to go right now. During the press conference, Sainz jokingly threw down his microphone after being told he had it before answering the question about his concerns. Piastri and Colapinto expressed trust in the FIA, while Hadjar said the situation is out of his control.

FIA president insists on safety

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem insists the final two rounds will occur in their originally scheduled locations. He told reporters that he feels secure about the region because his own family lives in the UAE. Ben Sulayem stated that the FIA will never take staff or drivers to a place where they feel it is risky. He also mentioned that the FIA is ready to move the season finale to Imola if governments restrict travel. This follows earlier disruptions when F1 canceled the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and moved the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The situation in the Middle East is volatile because of the conflict between the US and its ally Israel and Iran, alongside new strikes on Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. The US State Department also ordered some diplomats and their families to leave Saudi Arabia as these attacks escalated. Ben Sulayem told reporters that what people read in the media is different from the reality on the ground. He said he can only tell the public that there is currently nothing to suggest the races cannot happen. He added that he is happy with FIA staff traveling to the countries and that the FIA has another team ready in case officials are restricted from traveling. The FIA is prepared to manage the logistics of a European finale, though F1 is running short on time to settle the matter since the anticipated mid-October deadline has passed.

Mathematical impact on the championship

The timing of a calendar change affects Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the championship by 102 points. If F1 replaces the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds with a standalone event in Imola, the mathematical requirements for the title change. If Antonelli leaves Austin with a lead of more than 99 points, a decision to reduce the remaining schedule before the Mexico City Grand Prix would crown him champion. If he leaves the Mexico City Grand Prix with at least a 100-point lead, the title fight ends regardless of the calendar. If his lead falls to between 75 and 99 points after the Mexico City Grand Prix, a decision to replace Qatar and Abu Dhabi with Imola before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix could still mathematically crown him champion before any track action in Brazil. If he leaves the Circuit of the Americas with a lead of at least 125 points over his nearest rival, the title will be his.