FIA President Says Formula 1 Races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi Will Go Ahead
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will take place. He said there are currently no indications that the events would need to be cancelled.
Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the body that governs the Formula 1 motorsport world championship, said this season's races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead. He stated that nothing currently points to a need to cancel the events. The announcement matters to teams, drivers and fans because security concerns have already affected this year's calendar.
Background
Earlier this year, Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled because of a conflict. For safety reasons, alternative scenarios were also considered, including the Imola circuit as a possible replacement for the season finale.
The FIA chief's explanation
Ben Sulayem acknowledged that the organisation is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared for different scenarios. At the same time, he stressed that he personally feels completely safe. He said everything is fine there and added that his children are in the region, asking whether anyone thought he would leave them there if he felt unsafe. In his words, what is reported in the media differs from what is actually happening on the ground.
The FIA president also said the federation always weighs risks and would never endanger its staff, teams or athletes. He said the FIA also applies common sense and will never take its personnel, drivers or officials to a place where it senses risk.
