Formula One has arrived in Austin, Texas, to begin the second triple-header weekend in the run-up to the season’s finale in the Middle East. Last time out in Singapore, F1’s CEO confirmed the season would indeed conclude with two rounds of racing in the war-torn region.
“This is the direction we have taken, based on the information we have and the assurances we have,” stated Stefano Domenicali. This now supersedes the position the team bosses believed was agreed, with the Haas team principal stating in a press conference in Baku: “I believe Stefano is targeting to tell us in mid-October, so we will all know what the situation is,” remarked Ayao Komatsu.
Contingency Plans and the Mid-October Deadline
Komatsu also confirmed that “Imola is getting ready in case we have to do it,” with the circuit organisers preparing for a race during the first weekend of December. So the position is in effect: ‘We’re going to the Middle East unless those there un-confirm it’s not safe for hundreds of thousands of fans to attend.’
Anyone who just has a casual eye on the news knows all is not well in the region. The Yemeni rebel Houthis recently attacked the international airport in Jeddah with a ballistic missile, which killed three and injured hundreds.
International Politics and US Elections
It is widely believed that currently the USA and Israel have not continued their bombing campaigns in Iran due to elections in both countries. Yet come the 3rd of November, this may well all change once American citizens have cast their votes.
When asked on Wednesday this week whether the Iran affair was over, President Donald Trump was vague but appeared to fan the flames amongst the Washington media. “No, I think we’re not negotiating with [Iran] — We are going to have something one way or the other that’ll happen fairly soon. Most people seem to think it’s after the election, and we’re going to see what happens,” he added.
Driver Reactions and Williams Clarification
Having arrived in the USA, Carlos Sainz has spoken his mind on the decision not to cancel the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Williams driver and spokesperson for the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association had this to say:
“They seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead. I think on my personal side, and not speaking as a GPDA [spokesperson], it’s very difficult to be convinced right now because there’s still plenty of things happening in the Middle East. And also there is obviously an election that is going to happen in the US and things that are going to happen in the political side of the world that could affect the next month and a half very suddenly. So I think it’s relatively premature to be so convinced.”
The Spaniard did go on to say the drivers would “follow the lead” of the F1 decision makers given they are better informed of the entire political situation in the war-torn region.
Yet something is afoot behind the scenes, as later the Williams team issued a statement to clarify what their driver really meant: “Following some reporting of my comments in the press conference earlier today about ending the season in the Middle East, I want to be clear that I know the FIA and Formula 1 will put safety first and completely trust them to make the right decision. We look forward to racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.”
This public information release appeared somewhat contrived and unnecessary, as Carlos had already said the drivers would follow the lead given by F1’s bosses. Clearly, there remain some contractual issues to be resolved over Qatar and Abu Dhabi being given every chance to host their races. The hosting fees are payable regardless of whether F1 finishes the 2026 season in the region.
Parallels with MotoGP and Security Risks
Yet all is clearly not well in the paddock in terms of confidence that racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi is safe. It will be six weeks from now that the F1 circuit is due to take to the Losail track for FP1, but for the MotoGP riders, issues are more pressing given they are due in Qatar in two weeks’ time.
This weekend they are competing in Australia, and on Thursday The Race reported there was a secret meeting amongst the riders to discuss their fears of being forced to compete in the Middle East in 14 days. It is believed two-thirds of the riders voted firmly against going to Qatar.
Further, there are suggestions that the riders are considering forming a union similar to the F1 GPDA to consider forms of legal action should the Qatar GP not be cancelled.
Following the attack on Saudi’s capital city airport, the US State Department recalled all non-essential diplomatic staff and their families given the threat from the Houthis. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) current travel advice for Saudi Arabia includes the following warning, which advises against “all travel to areas within 10km of the border with Yemen, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Saudi Arabia.”
Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi share land borders with Saudi Arabia, and both racing circuits are within a few miles of those borders. Missiles, as Russia has proven, do not respect the lines drawn on the map, and even an ‘accidental’ incursion could see a huge tragedy in terms of fans being hit.
Impact on Fans and Verstappen’s Stance
The problem for fans is that they are not entitled to refunds until F1 calls off the events, so for now, there are no reports of mass cancellations of hotel bookings as has happened in Paris following the riots.
As the final two races of the season approach, expect the drivers to become more focused on the issue than they are at present. There will be drivers who refuse to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi regardless of the consequences.
Quadruple F1 champion Max Verstappen has said earlier this year: “Normally I am happy to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but you know, when there is a war nearby, and if some of the countries are in conflict with each other, then I think we shouldn’t go. Then, it doesn’t matter if you have a contract or not.”
He was pressed to clarify his position on the issue in a media session in Austin, where his form of words appeared to reflect those issued in the Williams statement: “I said that I didn’t want to race there? I just said that I love going there, but, of course, under the right terms. But I trust that F1 and then the FIA will take the right decision because they will have more information than us, and that’s what we rely on.”
When pressed on the issue of a potential boycott as planned by the MotoGP riders, Verstappen was word-perfect: “Like I said, I trust that they make the right call.” Of course, if the call is made to actually go to the Middle East, for Verstappen and many others this may not be “the right call,” and matters will escalate very quickly
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
