Formula 1 has told Italy’s Imola circuit that it will not be needed as a backup for the two races that are set to close the season in the Middle East, and the series is pressing ahead with the Qatar Grand Prix on Nov. 27-29 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 4-6.
The plans remain in place despite the continuing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Imola had been asked to prepare to host a grand prix on the Abu Dhabi weekend if the two Middle Eastern events could not go ahead. The circuit was told on Tuesday to stand down those preparations.
F1 said it would still cancel the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races if the situation in the Middle East deteriorates. “If the situation develops negatively in the coming weeks before the events in the Middle East, we will not hesitate to do the right thing and the safety of everyone will always be the priority,” an F1 spokesperson said Tuesday.
The decision to proceed with Qatar and Abu Dhabi, which F1 described as its default option, was based on conditions in the two countries not having “negatively developed” in recent months, the series said. Government travel advice still allows travel to both countries, insurance remains valid, events are taking place and business has returned to normal levels, according to F1. The series added that all teams support finishing the season as planned.
Earlier this season, the Saudi Arabian and Bahraini grands prix—both originally scheduled for April—were canceled and delayed, respectively, after the outbreak of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit in October.
A MotoGP race was held in Qatar last weekend. MotoGP and F1 are owned by the same US group.
Even with the confirmation, several senior figures in F1 have expressed unease about taking the series to the Middle East. Both races are close to areas around the Strait of Hormuz where missile strikes are still taking place. Saudi Arabia continues to be the target of attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen, and several events in the kingdom—which borders Qatar and the UAE—have been canceled or postponed in recent weeks after those attacks.
There is also recognition that F1 faces a difficult choice. Qatar and Abu Dhabi pay large fees for their races and are deeply involved in the sport as sponsors and investors. Qatar’s sovereign investment fund is a part owner of the Audi team, while Abu Dhabi holds the same role at McLaren.