FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will go ahead as scheduled later this year, despite ongoing volatility in the Middle East.
The confirmation comes after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled earlier in 2026 following an escalation of the conflict in the region. The Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled and took place in Malaysia, while the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was removed from the calendar entirely.
Ben Sulayem's reassurances on safety
Speaking about racing in the Middle East, including the Dakar Rally scheduled for January, Ben Sulayem 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."
When asked about the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, 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]?"
Media portrayal differs from reality
Ben Sulayem added: "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?"
He continued: "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."
FIA staff safety and upcoming races
Asked whether it is 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, followed by Mexico, Brazil, and 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.
