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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has spoken out on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races going ahead later this year. It comes after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled earlier in 2026 following an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled and took place in Malaysia, while the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was wiped from the calendar altogether. However, the situation in the region remains volatile, which has cast doubt on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races.
Ben Sulayem was quizzed on racing in the Middle East, including the Dakar Rally, which is scheduled for January. On the off-road endurance event, he said: "We have common sense here that we will never take our staff or drivers or any officials to a place where we feel it is risky - no way.”
While on the topic, the FIA head honcho was pushed on what fans can expect in regard to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to which he said: “Yeah, fine. One thing I would say: I have my children there [in the UAE]. You think I would leave them there and I'm here now with you [if it was dangerous]?
"You have to be sensible in this. Saying, 'Are we going to have an issue?' is one thing.
"But what you read in the media is actually different than what we have there. What we read and see on TV, we say, 'Where is it?' We don't have that, really. Otherwise why would I stay there? Why would I leave my family there?”
Adding: "Does this say that there is nothing that is going to happen? I can't predict this. I can only tell you today that there is nothing and the two races are going to happen."
And when asked if it’s safe for FIA staff to travel, Ben Sulayem replied: "I am happy, yes of course. Listen, I don't think the FIA staff would be more important to me than myself or my family. But if I am there it means I feel secure about this."
Qatar and Abu Dhabi are scheduled as the two final races of the season. Before then, racing resumes from Texas this weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
Following that, Formula One heads to Mexico and Brazil, then back to the States for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli is 102 points clear at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings and is on the verge of becoming the youngest-ever title winner.
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