Sainz questions certainty over F1’s planned Qatar-Abu Dhabi finale

Carlos Sainz said on Thursday that it was too soon to be confident Formula 1’s planned 2026 finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi could go ahead as scheduled. Speaking in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix, he stressed that it was his personal view, not a position on behalf of the GPDA, the F1 drivers’ association where he is a director.

F1 and the FIA have maintained that the final two rounds can proceed as planned. The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are scheduled back-to-back at the end of November and the first weekend of December; F1 is also working on an alternative season finale in Imola for the Abu Dhabi weekend.

Sainz cited ongoing events in the Middle East and the US midterm election on 3 November. He said political developments could change the picture suddenly over the next month and a half.

Even so, Sainz said drivers would have to trust F1 and FIA decisions if they decided that going ahead remained safe and a good option. He said those organisations had more information about conditions on the ground and urged drivers to stay ready to react to whatever happens.