Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula One, has confirmed that the final races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, Domenicali told French broadcaster Canal Plus that, based on current information, everything is confirmed for both events.
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, the head of motorsport’s premier series reiterated the schedule for the concluding Grands Prix: Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were canceled earlier in the season due to the escalation of conflict in the region, but Domenicali insisted that all arrangements are in order and that teams and drivers are being kept informed.
He highlighted that 99 percent of tickets for the Abu Dhabi race have been sold, describing the event as generating significant excitement.
However, not all drivers share this confidence. Max Verstappen, the Dutch four-time world champion, who is starting from pole position in Malaysia, expressed concerns about finishing the season in the Gulf.
Verstappen stated during the week that he would prefer the season not to conclude in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, saying, “Normally I am happy to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but when there is a war nearby, and if some countries are in conflict, I think we shouldn’t go.”
He added that contracts might not matter in such situations, but emphasized that the decision is not up to him.
Among the contingency plans discussed was the possibility of moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy as a Plan B option.
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