News Summary
- Carlos Sainz believes it is premature to guarantee the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, despite assurances from Formula 1 and the FIA.
- The Williams driver warned that developments in the Middle East could change the situation before the races on November 29 and December 6.
- Sainz said drivers must ultimately trust the sport’s governing bodies, while Imola remains under consideration as a contingency venue.
Carlos Sainz has questioned the confidence expressed by Formula 1 and FIA officials over the final two rounds of the 2026 season, arguing that the security situation in the Middle East makes it difficult to guarantee that Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned.
Speaking during Thursday’s FIA press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Williams driver warned that circumstances could change considerably during the coming weeks.
The championship currently intends to contest the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and conclude the season in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Both races remain on the official calendar despite continuing regional tensions and the possibility of further developments before the teams are due to travel.
Sainz, one of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), made clear that he was expressing his personal opinion rather than the association’s official position.
“They seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead,” Sainz said. “It’s very difficult to be convinced right now,” the Spaniard added, referring to the continuing uncertainty.
Sainz warns F1 against guaranteeing Middle East finale
Sainz explained that his concern was not limited to the present situation, but also to how rapidly political and security conditions could change before the closing rounds.
He specifically mentioned developments in the Middle East and the United States midterm elections scheduled for November 3, although he did not claim to possess information indicating that either Grand Prix would be cancelled.
The Williams driver argued that the championship should continue reviewing its plans rather than assume the current security assessment would remain valid throughout November and December.
He described the confidence of Formula 1 officials as premature, given the time remaining before the final two events.
Sainz nevertheless acknowledged that drivers do not have access to all the information available to Formula 1 and the FIA, particularly regarding government assessments, security arrangements and negotiations with local organisers.
The championship has maintained that it intends to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, provided the necessary conditions are met.
Sainz says drivers must trust FIA and Formula 1
Despite his concerns, Sainz said the final decision could not reasonably be made by the drivers alone.
As a GPDA director, he participates in discussions about sporting matters and safety, but explained that the drivers’ association does not have the same access to diplomatic and security information as the championship’s organisers.
He therefore distinguished between questioning the certainty of current plans and refusing to accept a decision taken after a proper safety assessment.
Sainz said the drivers would follow the authorities’ lead if Formula 1 and the FIA concluded that the races could take place safely.
He also emphasised that the situation must remain under review until the events.
Oscar Piastri, who attended the same press conference, expressed confidence in the FIA and Formula 1’s ability to make the appropriate decision, citing previous instances in which the championship had faced difficult international circumstances.
Isack Hadjar said the issue was outside his control and that his responsibility was to drive at the circuits selected for the championship.
Their responses highlighted the distinction between drivers’ personal concerns and the formal responsibility held by the organisations deciding whether a Grand Prix can proceed.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on official F1 calendar
The uncertainty surrounding the two Middle Eastern rounds has been developing for several months.
Earlier in the season, regional security concerns forced changes to the Formula 1 calendar, including the relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi nevertheless remained scheduled as the final two events.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously explained that organisers were maintaining regular contact with teams and monitoring developments before making a decision.
The governing body also indicated that the safety of personnel, competitors and spectators would remain central to its assessment.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO previously reported, Formula 1 has continued examining the situation without formally removing either event from its calendar.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27–29 at Lusail, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4–6 at Yas Marina.
Both events remain subject to the championship’s continuing evaluation.
Imola remains an alternative for the 2026 season finale
Formula 1 has also been preparing contingency arrangements in case it becomes impossible to contest the final two races in the Middle East.
Imola has emerged as one of the principal alternatives, with local organisers making preparations for a possible event on the weekend originally allocated to Abu Dhabi.
The Italian circuit would face logistical and weather-related challenges if it hosted a Grand Prix in December, including limited daylight and colder conditions than those normally encountered during its traditional spring race weekend.
The fallback plan does not necessarily involve replacing both races individually. One scenario would see Imola stage a single season finale, reducing the number of remaining events.
Preparations for a possible Imola finale were detailed by GRANDE PRÊMIO earlier this month.
No change has been officially announced.
Calendar uncertainty could affect F1 championship calculations
The outcome may also affect the Drivers’ Championship, particularly if the number of remaining Grands Prix changes.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli enters the United States Grand Prix with a substantial advantage over his rivals and his first mathematical opportunity to secure the title.
Any cancellation without a replacement would reduce the number of points available in the final part of the season.
However, championship calculations must continue to use the official calendar until Formula 1 confirms a change.
Sainz’s comments came during the build-up to the United States Grand Prix, where teams will begin on-track activities on Friday before Sunday’s race.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
