Carlos Sainz warns it is too early to confirm Formula 1 races in the Middle East

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has expressed doubts about whether Formula 1 should proceed with its planned races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi later this season, warning that it is too early to be confident about the situation amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Both Formula 1 and the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), have maintained that the current race calendar remains unchanged despite regional tensions and the ongoing war involving Iran.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently told reporters that the situation was currently under control and that the races were expected to go ahead. The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6.

However, Sainz, who also serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), has taken a more cautious position.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the Spanish driver said he found it difficult to share the same level of confidence about the races proceeding as planned.

“I think they seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead. On my personal side, I’m not speaking as the GPDA, it’s very difficult to be convinced right now,” Sainz said.

He pointed to the continuing developments in the Middle East, as well as upcoming political events in the United States, as factors that could influence the situation over the coming weeks.

“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, month and a half,” he explained.

Sainz added that it was premature to express complete confidence in the current plans. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the drivers would be expected to follow the decisions made by Formula 1 and the FIA, provided the governing authorities considered the events safe to hold.

The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on October 8 that the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the elections, according to the report.

The regional tensions escalated after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February, prompting Tehran to fire missiles and drones towards Gulf countries hosting American military forces.

Sainz Calls for Caution as the Situation Develops

The Williams driver stressed that teams and drivers did not have access to all the information available to Formula 1 and the FIA, meaning they would need to rely on the judgement of those responsible for making the final decisions.

However, Sainz emphasised that the situation could change significantly before the championship reaches the final rounds of the season.

“The world can change a lot in the next month and we need to stay diligent and reactive to whatever happens and not just go because we want to go right now,” he added.

His comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the final stages of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, with safety remaining a central consideration as the championship approaches its scheduled races in the Gulf region.

Imola Considered as a Possible Replacement Venue

Amid the uncertainty, Italy’s Imola circuit has reportedly emerged as a potential alternative should either of the Middle Eastern races need to be cancelled or relocated.

However, holding a race at Imola in early December could present challenges because of the colder winter conditions expected at that time of year.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri also commented on the possibility of a late-season race in Italy, joking that the circuit might require snowploughs if temperatures dropped significantly.

“We might have to get some snowploughs out if we race in Imola,” Piastri said.

He acknowledged that Imola appeared to be among the options being discussed as a replacement venue, adding that he hoped temperatures would remain above freezing.

For now, Formula 1’s plans remain unchanged, but Sainz’s comments underline the need for continued monitoring of the regional situation before final decisions are made about the season’s closing races.