In response to swirling rumours and heightened concerns, Formula One officials have firmly stated that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will go ahead as planned.

Speculation had been rife that the event could be cancelled due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

 

Official statements and advice

The situation received further attention following a significant update from the UK Foreign Office on 29 October. The advisory, which raised the terrorism threat level in the UAE to ‘highly likely’, echoed similar statements from several European countries. It also highlighted a potential increase in threats to Western interests amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

F1’s stance on security

Despite these warnings, Formula One has moved quickly to allay concerns about the viability of the Grand Prix. An F1 spokesman has reassured fans and stakeholders that the event will not be affected. Teams and principals have been briefed on F1’s position and the wider context of the Foreign Office’s guidance.

 

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Precedents in F1 history

This is not the first time that regional unrest has cast a shadow over Formula One events. Last season, a rocket attack on an oil depot in Saudi Arabia led to serious discussions at the Jeddah Corniche circuit. Nevertheless, the event went ahead after much deliberation. The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was also cancelled due to civil unrest, marking a rare geopolitical disruption to the F1 calendar.

 

 

Should F1 be racing in the Middle East at all?

Formula One’s global expansion strategy has long involved staging Grand Prix events in some of the world’s most glamorous and economically prosperous locations. However, the decision to race in the Middle East has been the subject of much controversy and debate.

Since the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004, F1’s presence in the Middle East has grown, including regular races in the United Arab Emirates and, more recently, Saudi Arabia.

These events take place against a backdrop of spectacular infrastructure, with huge financial investment ensuring that the tracks and facilities are among the best in the world.

 

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Terrorism & human rights issues

However, the expansion has raised worries about terrorism attacks but also ethical concerns, particularly concerning human rights issues in the region in general.

Human rights organisations have criticised Formula One for associating itself with countries with questionable human rights records. Campaigners argue that by holding races in these locations, F1 inadvertently endorses the host regimes, which have been accused of using the sport as a platform for “sportswashing” – a term used to describe companies that invest in sporting events to distract from political controversy or to improve their international image.

 

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Population unrest

The races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were particularly controversial. The Bahraini government’s crackdown on Arab Spring protesters in 2011 drew international scrutiny and calls for the Grand Prix to be cancelled. The race went ahead amid security concerns and considerable public outrage, reflecting the tension between F1’s commercial interests and ethical considerations.

Similarly, the addition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar has been mired in controversy. Critics point to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including its treatment of women and political dissidents, as being at odds with the sport’s stated commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

The 2021 race in Jeddah went ahead despite calls for a boycott, and only moments after a missile strike that brought the debate to a head.

 

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2023 Abu Dhabi set to race

With assurances from F1, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains on track to close the season. While the sport’s governing body is mindful of the geopolitical climate, its current assessments and past experience suggest that it is confident in its ability to deliver a safe and successful event in Abu Dhabi, maintaining the tradition of continuity in F1’s global calendar.

 

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