Formula 1 has a plan in case of cancellation of Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

      The President and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, confirmed that the championship management already has a plan of action in case it becomes necessary to cancel the Qatar Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to military actions in the Middle East.

      Stefano Domenicali: “Just like with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must strive to act as pragmatically as possible. The cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Jeddah was due to the fact that we knew it was impossible to hold these Grands Prix at that moment. Moreover, we are an entertainment sport that brings joy and pleasure. We must go where such an atmosphere is possible, and we hope that for Formula 1 and the world as a whole, the situation will improve as soon as possible.

      Promoters in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are already selling tickets, and sales are going very, very well. But there will come a time when we will have to make a decision [about holding these events].

      Formula 1 is not a football match, where there are only two teams, 22 players, and where it is easy to make a substitution. For us, organizing a Grand Prix is a logistically complex task and incurs expenses. Moving even one race will not be easy, as there are not many free slots in the calendar.

      But I can confirm that we have a contingency plan. And if the two races at the end of the year do not take place because military actions have not yet ended, we will have other alternatives.”

      Domenicali did not disclose further details but confirmed that even if the events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held, the upcoming event in Las Vegas will definitely not be the final race of the season.

      “No, Las Vegas will not be the last race on the calendar,” Domenicali said.