Verstappen trusts FIA and F1 to decide on Qatar and Abu Dhabi

Speaking in Brazil, Max Verstappen said he trusts the FIA and Formula 1 to make the right decision on whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix go ahead amid continuing Middle East tensions. Asked whether he would mind if the Las Vegas Grand Prix became the season finale because of the conflict, he said he hoped the situation would not spiral out of control, for people in F1 and for those living in the region.

Verstappen said he understood why MotoGP riders had more questions: they had been in the region a few weeks earlier, he said. When asked whether travelling there was itself a decision, he replied that people know only a fraction of what is happening in the world and that he does not involve himself in politics.

Yamaha had withdrawn from the Qatar MotoGP race held the previous weekend, while other international sporting events in the region had been cancelled or moved. The FIA and Formula One Management were still sticking to the plan to hold both Grands Prix, with Imola ruled out as a contingency.