Carlos Sainz was forced to clarify his comments regarding the F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, amid an uncertain political situation around the globe.
Williams’ Sainz caused a bit of a stir on social media after his comments about having less conviction to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi than the FIA, considering the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
While the FIA and FOM, together with the promoters, seem convinced to go ahead with the plans, Sainz feels otherwise and wants to keep options open. He cited the potential ramifications of the elections in the United States of America and even in Israel.
Sainz Not Overly Convinced Yet
He has trust in the FIA, he added. “I think they seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead. I think on my personal side, and not speaking as the GPDA, it’s very difficult to be convinced right now,” said Sainz in the press conference ahead of the US GP.
“Because there are still things happening in the Middle East, and also there is obviously an election that is going to happen in the US and things that are going to happen on the political side of the world that could affect the next month, month and a half, very suddenly. So, I think it’s relatively premature to be so convinced.
“But as it stands, we would go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If the FIA and Formula 1 decide that it’s still a safe and good scenario, I think we as drivers have to go with whatever they say. It’s not like we have as much political information, as much inside information as they have, for sure.
“So, we need to follow their lead and trust in their decision-making. But only as it stands, I think the world can change a lot in the next month, one month and a half, and we need to stay diligent and reactive to whatever happens, and not just go because we want to go right now,” summed up Sainz.
GPDA Can’t Take Decisions on Political Spectrum
When pressed on what the GPDA can do to help with better decision-making, Sainz said they are happy to contribute to the matter, but on the political spectrum, there is little that they can do, considering the inside information that the governing body will have.
He reiterated that they need to be reactive. “The GPDA, as united as we are, we don’t have half of the information that Formula 1 and the FIA have with all the political battles that are happening in the world,” continued Sainz.
“So, I think the GPDA can help a lot to understand the sport, or help the FIA and F1 understand the sport, what makes racing better, what makes a racetrack better, what needs to be changed in order to get more safety. But about political matters, realistically, none of us have the information and the contacts that F1 and the FIA have.
“So, similar to you guys, you need to trust in a way that the decision F1 and the FIA take about that matter is the right one. But as I said before, we need to stay reactive and see how situations change. So, yes, I think they will do that, and they will take the right decision when it comes,” summed up Sainz.
Sainz Issues Calrification
With all the headlines following his remarks, Williams issued a statement from the Spaniard to clarify what he said. He expressed faith in the FIA and FOM to make the correct decision, and he is fine to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, if it happens.
“Following some reporting of my comments in the press conference earlier today about ending the season in the Middle East, I want to be clear that I know the FIA and Formula 1 will put safety first and completely trust them to make the right decision. We look forward to racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” it said.
Here are some of the other F1 drivers talking about the F1 calendar –
Oscar Piastri
“Yes, I mean, I think putting our trust in the FIA and F1, there have been difficult situations in the past through conflicts and all kinds of things. So, yeah, we’ll put our trust in F1 and the FIA and listen to their advice.”
Isack Hadjar:
“Yeah, I’m not sure. It’s out of my control. So, I’ll drive on the track I need to drive, and that’s it.”
George Russell:
“I mean, in all honesty, I don’t read the news, and I’m not aware of what the latest is. And yeah, this is not a decision I’m going to be taking, and they’re not going to send us somewhere they don’t believe is safe. I know people who live there, who are locals.
“I know people who live there who aren’t locals, and they all feel comfortable at the moment. There’s nothing telling them otherwise, but I will go where I’m told, and I trust the people around the sport.”
Lando Norris:
“I mean, I hope it does because I love the places that we go to; I enjoy Qatar itself. I enjoy Abu Dhabi a lot, I also have a lot of friends that live out there in those two places. And they’re happy living out there and being there now.
“So, for their safety, if I’m thinking of them, if they’re happy to do it, then so am I. I’m sure we wouldn’t be going there as a sport if we didn’t believe it would be the case. And yeah, I’m sure the FIA and Formula 1 make the right decisions.”