In Mexico City, the hype around Kimi Antonelli becoming the youngest ever F1 world champion filled all the broadcasters’ bandwidth. But meanwhile, as the sport plans to visit the Middle East for the final two race weekends of the year, something big was afoot elsewhere.
The MotoGP Safety Crisis in Qatar
MotoGP is set to race in Qatar this coming weekend at the very Lusail circuit where F1 is due to visit at the end of the month. However, a row has been brewing over the past few days, with the riders meeting in secret to discuss whether they feel it’s safe to travel to the region.
Following the recent Malaysian Grand Prix, rider Jack Miller publicly revealed that 19 out of the 22 MotoGP riders opposed traveling to Qatar for the scheduled November 6–8 race. The riders expressed deep safety and security concerns,fearing potential regional escalation and the risk of airspace closures trapping personnel in Doha, which could also jeopardise the final two rounds of the season.
Yesterday the tensions escalated further when Yamaha officially announced their team would not be participating in the Qatar Grand Prix, citing existing company-wide travel restrictions and safety assessments independent of the championship’s decisions.
While riders and teams have pushed hard for a cancellation or postponement due to security risks, MotoGP organisers have remained adamant that the event at the Lusail International Circuit will go ahead. Organisers have warned of potential sporting or financial sanctions for non-participation, while the core of the dispute remains a complex mixture of rider safety demands, contractual obligations, and the heavy financial implications of cancelling an event without an official government travel ban.
Formula One’s Firm Stance and Paddock Pressure
Formula One has shut down all discussion on the matter, instructing the teams and drivers not to be drawn on the issue.However, in the run up to last weekend’s US GP, Carlos Sainz suggested it was difficult for the sport to make the case for racing in the Middle East.
“I think on my personal side, and not speaking as a GPDA, it’s very difficult to be convinced right now because there’s still plenty of things happening in the Middle East,” he said. The Williams driver is a spokesman for the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, although he made clear he was speaking only from his personal perspective.
Within an hour or so, Williams put out a statement in Carlos’ name: “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.” For many this was an unnecessary thing to do,so the assumption in the paddock was that Williams had been quietly asked by F1 to support their current position.
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September, Audi’s CEO Mattia Binotto had been asked about the deadline for F1 to decide whether concluding the season racing in the Middle East should go ahead. “The middle of next month” was his response, yet mid-October came and went.
FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, who hails from the UAE, did have this to say prior to the US Grand Prix: “Are we going to allow our people, our staff, the drivers or the teams to go at risk? No, of course not. We will not. But we’ll have also to listen to the governments and to the local promoter there.”
He also added a personal measure of confidence regarding the local environment: “My children are there. If I felt there was a risk, I would not leave my children there.”
Geopolitical Tensions and Regional Developments
F1 is in a bind given that since the ‘ceasefire’ in May, travel advice and insurance situations are unchanged. There have been assurances given that there have been no attacks on either civilians nor the infrastructure in Qatar nor the United Arab Emirates.
However, the situation could change very quickly following the US mid-term elections being held this week. President Trump has been reticent to resume the bombing campaign on Iran prior to these, given it may give his opponents an advantage.
However, following classified briefings on military planning, Senator Chris Murphy posted the following on social media:”Trump is reportedly planning to restart war with Iran after the election. Some of us have been briefed on the war plan.And while I cannot disclose any details, I can say this: the plan is insane. It will not achieve objectives and will set off a new cycle of escalation.”
When addressing the ongoing conflict and the potential for further military operations or renewed campaigns, President Trump has noted the possibility of future action depending on diplomatic developments, remarking at a rally and in interviews: “We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree. If they’re smart, they’ll just say, let’s get down to business,” before adding, “Annihilating Iran… is possible.”
Financial Stakes and Contingency Plans
Of course there is more to this than just the safety of the personnel who travel with the F1 circus. Should FOM cancel the Middle East races ‘unnecessarily’ then the hosting fees which run close to $100m from Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not be paid. If the promoters cancel the races due to revised travel instructions issued for the Middle East, then the fees are payable in full.
Just a week ago the organisers of the world-famous Dakar Rally announced the race was being moved out of Saudi Arabia after what they described as “recent developments in the region.” Scheduled for January, the Dakar will now be held in a “different territory” which most observers believe will be Morocco.
Saudi Arabia has a land border with both Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and the race circuits are just miles outside of Saudi territory. Yet for now F1 is holding the line that they will race in the Middle East to conclude the 2026 Formula One season.
For now F1 is going to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but should hostilities resume, then Imola has been put on standby to host one final race of the year. The reason for this is F1 has guaranteed the global broadcasters no less than 22 races a season.Should they fail to deliver this number there are huge rebates to be paid, which could when all told end up in the region of $100m.
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