F1 Qatar, Abu Dhabi GP Face Fresh Uncertainty as MotoGP Riders Oppose Middle East Races Amid Conflict

The upcoming F1 races in the Middle East have come under newfound scrutiny. Riders from the sport’s sister series, MotoGP, held a meeting expressing concerns about heading to Qatar for the Grand Prix later this year, according to Autosport. This has brought the upcoming F1 Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix into uncertainty again as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

MotoGP is owned by the same company that owns F1, Liberty Media. The premier motorbike racing series is also heading to the Middle East for the final leg of its 2026 season. The Qatar MotoGP race is as early as November 8, making it a more immediate concern.

Reportedly, 75 percent of the riders did not wish to go to the Middle East to race, but a compromise was later reached between the riders and the organizers of the sport. The riders have also asked for some written conditions to be met, and a failure to follow them means they will not attend the race in Qatar.

The guarantees demanded include a paddock evacuation plan and accommodation cost coverage if airspace is closed.

F1 CEO Has Reiterated That the Sport Will Race in the Middle East at the End of the Season

Speaking to Canal+ earlier in October, Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed that F1 will head to the Middle East for the final two rounds of the 2026 season, namely in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“Based on the information we have, everything is confirmed for [us to race in] Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” said Domenicali.

Domenicali also told Sky Sports recently that ‘everything was in order’ for the aforementioned races to go through as scheduled. He also said all teams and drivers are being kept in the loop in case anything changes.

What the F1 Drivers Said About Racing in the Middle East

Many of the current F1 drivers have also shared their opinions publicly about the sport planning to race in the Middle East. These include Williams driver Carlos Sainz and four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Speaking ahead of the US Grand Prix, Sainz said it was ‘very difficult to be convinced right now’ about going racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Verstappen had told Dutch outlet Viaplay earlier in September that he believes the sport should not go to the region to race. Later at the US Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver said he was prepared to race in the Middle East if the sport’s ruling body adjudged it safe to go ahead.

In Texas, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri also shared his opinion, saying he is putting his faith in the FOM and the FIA with regard to racing in the Middle East. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar said the situation is out of his control and he simply drives on the tracks he is asked to.

Alpine’s Franco Colapinto also stated that he trusts the organizers of the sport to make the right decision about the upcoming races.

Earlier this year, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were canceled amid the conflict. The Bahrain GP was later rescheduled and held in Malaysia in October.

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