Report: F1 assures teams Middle East races will go on as planned

LONDON: Upcoming races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will take place despite ongoing unrest in the Middle East, according to a message Formula 1 sent to its teams that was viewed by ESPN.

The message from F1 was a response to Yamaha withdrawing its entry from the MotoGP race this weekend in Qatar. In addition to reiterating that the F1 schedule will proceed as planned, the message also cautioned teams against speaking out publicly about the situation surrounding the war in Iran.

The 2026 F1 calendar concludes with the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on Nov 29 and the Abu Dhabi GP at Yas Marina on Dec 6.

Per ESPN's report on Monday, F1 officials are in constant communication with the relevant authorities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and have been assured of the races' safety "as things stand."

There is a contingency plan in place to race in Imola, Italy, on Dec 6 if the Middle East events have to be canceled.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has already clinched the F1 drivers' championship with four races left. At 20, he is the youngest world champion in the motorsports series' history.--REUTERS