Qatar maintains that the F1 race will still take place.
Qatar has sought to alleviate rising concerns regarding the safe completion of its Formula 1 Middle Eastern schedule, assuring that preparations for November’s race at Lusail are progressing as intended. This reassurance follows the recent postponement and subsequent cancellation of the 2026 Qatar 1812km World Endurance Championship race.
Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, president of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, emphasized that the country has been prepared to host significant events for a considerable time. "It’s important to distinguish between geopolitics and Qatar’s ability to support sports," he stated. "Qatar has proven its capacity to safely conduct major international sporting events to the highest standards. The country has remained safe for several months now."
He added, "Our airport is fully operational, including transit flights between Asia and Europe." However, when directly asked if current circumstances might still impact the Formula 1 race in November, Al Mannai refrained from providing a definitive assurance. "The intention is to hold the race," he replied. "We are actively preparing for MotoGP, and our dialogue with Formula 1 is similarly optimistic. Naturally, there are factors beyond our control."
"We cannot predict future events. We must continue with our plans and be prepared." He concluded, "Up to this point, everything is progressing well. All systems are go."
These remarks gain importance in the context of ongoing uncertainty regarding the late-season Middle Eastern races, with Formula 1 still observing the situation in Iran, while Imola is reportedly ready to serve as an alternative venue if necessary. Looking ahead to 2026, Qatar is excited for the WEC’s return to Lusail, set as the opening round of the 2027 season. "We’re extremely eager to host it as the inaugural event for 2027 and are looking forward to it," Al Mannai expressed. "Qatar will not withdraw from endurance racing due to one challenging season. Our commitment is for the long term."
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