FIA confirms plans for F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid tensions
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 20, 2026, 5:10 PM
Last updated Oct 20, 2026
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed confidence that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as scheduled despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this year, races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. The Bahrain race was postponed and relocated to Malaysia. The FIA continues to monitor the situation closely as the event dates approach.
- •FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem supports the scheduled races.
- •Recent conflicts led to the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races.
- •The postponed Bahrain event was moved to Malaysia.
- •The FIA is closely monitoring the regional situation.
- 5:10 PMAutosport — FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to run as planned
- 5:02 PMMotorsport.com — FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
"FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is confident that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, amid the current tensions in the Middle East. Due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled earlier this year, although the Bahraini organisers effectively moved its postponed grand prix to Malaysia. Ship attacks in ...Keep reading
"FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is confident that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, amid the current tensions in the Middle East. Due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled earlier this year, although the Bahraini organisers effectively moved its postponed grand prix to Malaysia. Ship attacks in ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- AutosportOct 20, 2026, 5:10 PMFIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to run as planned
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is confident that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, amid the current tensions in the Middle East. Due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled earlier this year, although the Bahraini organisers effectively moved its postponed grand prix to Malaysia. Ship attacks in ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comOct 20, 2026, 5:02 PMFIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is confident that the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, amid the current tensions in the Middle East. Due to the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled earlier this year, although the Bahraini organisers effectively moved its postponed grand prix to Malaysia. Ship attacks in ...Keep reading
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