F1 to keep Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix on calendar — The Guardian

Formula 1 plans to hold the season’s final Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates as scheduled, despite the conflict in the Middle East. This was stated by the series’ chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

Final rounds remain on the calendar

As The Guardian reports, Domenicali told French TV channel Canal+ that the information available to Formula 1 confirms that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will take place. In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, he also confirmed the schedule for the final two rounds of the year.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29, while the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi is set for December 6. According to Domenicali, teams and drivers are being kept informed about the situation. He added that 99% of tickets have been sold in Abu Dhabi, and that the final round is generating considerable interest.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Changes to the season calendar

The Bahrain round was moved earlier this season to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled after the start of the US-led war with Iran.

Not all drivers support holding the season finale in the Gulf countries. Max Verstappen, who is due to start from pole position in Malaysia, told ViaPlay that, with war nearby and conflict between countries, Formula 1 should not travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi in his view. He stressed that the final decision is not his. One of the options discussed was moving the Abu Dhabi round to Italy’s Imola.