Skip to content
Bramble

Sport

F1 boss says Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will go ahead despite Middle East tensions

Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali said the Qatar (29 November) and Abu Dhabi (6 December) Grands Prix remain on schedule despite regional tensions. Max Verstappen has said he would prefer not to race there, while Lewis Hamilton said he wants to go.

2 outlets · 0L · 2C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: CNA
Image: Gulf News

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Centre · 2Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on Saturday 3 October that the final two races of the 2026 season, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East. Centre · 2Domenicali told French broadcaster Canal Plus: "Based on the information we have, everything is confirmed for (us to stay in) Qatar and Abu Dhabi." He spoke on the sidelines of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia this weekend. Centre · 2In an interview with Sky Sport Italia he confirmed the schedule: Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December.

Centre · 2He said everything was in order and that teams and drivers were being kept informed. He added that 99 per cent of Abu Dhabi tickets had been sold and that the season finale was generating "great excitement". Centre · 1CNA reports that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix were scrapped earlier this season because of the start of the US-led war with Iran. Centre · 1Not all drivers want to race in the Gulf. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen told ViaPlay that when a war is nearby and countries are in conflict, "I think we shouldn't go", adding "it's not up to me".

Centre · 1Lewis Hamilton, speaking at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, said: "I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East." Gulf News says he also showed trust in Domenicali to plan the finale. Centre · 2Both outlets say moving the Abu Dhabi race to Imola in Italy was among the Plan B options discussed, but the current schedule remains unchanged. Centre · 1Gulf News adds that Kimi Antonelli leads the standings with 320 points, with Mercedes teammate George Russell 84 points behind.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Both outlets lead with Domenicali's confirmation that the finale races stay on schedule. CNA adds the war context and Verstappen's objections; Gulf News adds Hamilton's willingness and standings.
Emphasis
CNA: the Iran war, cancelled Bahrain and Saudi races, driver dissent. Gulf News: reassurance, ticket sales, Hamilton's support.
Leaves out or plays down
Gulf News does not mention the war with Iran, the scrapped Bahrain and Saudi races or Verstappen's comments. CNA does not mention Hamilton's view.
Charged language
“great excitement”
For example
“However not all drivers want to compete in the Gulf.” — CNA
“The chief executive’s latest comments confirm that Formula One currently intends to proceed with both races as planned.” — Gulf News

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.