F1 chief Domenicali says Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will go ahead

On 1 October 2026, Formula 1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the season's Middle East races, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, would be held as scheduled. His comments came as regional tensions raised questions about whether the final rounds of the championship could proceed normally.

Domenicali, an Italian who has led the sport's commercial rights holder since 2021, was responding to concerns about the safety of teams, drivers, staff and fans travelling to the Gulf. His message was that the calendar remained unchanged and that the sport was following developments closely.

The statement mattered because Qatar and Abu Dhabi close the season, and either race could influence the outcome of the title fight. Both countries are also major partners of the sport, hosting races under long-term contracts. Any change would have disrupted logistics for the teams and broadcasters. The assurance gave teams and fans clarity, though it left open the possibility of later review if the security situation changed.