FIA President Ben Sulayem says F1 drivers and teams won't be put 'at risk' over Middle East events
Ben Sulayem said safety concerns are delaying any schedule changes as F1 weighs alternative venues and keeps the season finale in place.
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem told the Associated Press on Sunday that Formula One will not rush changes to the Middle East race calendar, prioritizing driver and staff safety amid regional security concerns.
- Regional instability previously forced F1 to cancel the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and relocate the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia, demonstrating operational flexibility in response to Middle East security threats.
- While F1 maintains its own venue agreements, the FIA must approve any schedule adjustments; Ben Sulayem remains in regular communication with F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali regarding potential changes.
- The Imola circuit in Italy is currently the likeliest replacement should security concerns require moving the Qatar Grand Prix or Abu Dhabi finale, offering a contingency for season-end uncertainty.
- Emphasizing that human well-being takes priority over motorsport, Ben Sulayem added there is "no emergency" regarding the 2027 calendar while he continues consulting with governments and local promoters.
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The F1 has already cancelled two races at the beginning of the season due to the conflict in the Middle East. The Imola circuit would be considered an alternative plan.
Associated Press News
FIA President Ben Sulayem says F1 drivers and teams won't be put 'at risk' over Middle East events
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defended the wait for clarity over how this year’s Formula 1 season will end amid uncertainty over the Middle East security situation but tells The Associated Press that drivers and team staff will not be put “at risk.”
Middle East end of season races cancelation latest
With just over two months remaining before the Formula One circus is due to make camp in Qatar for the penultimate race of the season, the president of the FIA says he is in no rush to cancel the final two events at Losail and the Yas Marina Circuit. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is of ...
Formula 1 As the geopolitical situation in the Middle East continues to cause uncertainty about the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the FIA (...)...
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