F1 assures teams Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will proceed as planned

Formula 1 has told its 11 teams that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will go ahead as planned, calling it business as usual for the final two races. The reassurance followed Yamaha’s withdrawal from this weekend’s MotoGP race at Losail — the same circuit due to host F1 on Nov. 29 — over regional security concerns.

Why it matters:

The finale is under scrutiny, and Liberty Media owns both F1 and MotoGP. F1’s message, seen by ESPN, updated teams on Yamaha’s move and warned against public speculation. With Kimi Antonelli already crowned in Mexico City, any cancellation would not change the drivers’ title.

The details:

• Yamaha cited “no sufficient grounds” to change a travel policy restricting Middle East travel due to the war in Iran earlier this year.
• F1 says it is in constant contact with authorities in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and points to unchanged government guidance.
• Carlos Sainz said before the U.S. Grand Prix it was “very difficult to be convinced right now” F1 should race in the Middle East, then rowed back his comments within two hours.
• Logistics continue normally: Baku freight is heading to Qatar, while freight used for the rescheduled Bahrain race in Malaysia is due for Abu Dhabi.
• F1 has an Imola contingency for Dec. 6 and is confident a late switch is possible. It also has evacuation plans and has walked teams through sudden-departure scenarios.

What’s next:

F1 is monitoring developments, including any fallout from the U.S. midterms, while insisting Qatar and Abu Dhabi are safe to host. If that changes, Imola is ready as a European fallback.