FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said that, for now, the Middle Eastern F1 season finale will go ahead as planned.
Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix had to be cancelled in April. The Bahrain GP was eventually rescheduled and held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia in October.
In the Formula 1 calendar, the final two rounds are scheduled to take place in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, meaning the championship would be in the same region for both races.
Quoted by The Race, Ben Sulayem insisted that the final two rounds of the campaign will take place where they were originally scheduled to. He said: "[The FIA has] common sense here that we will never take our staff or drivers or any officials to a place where we feel it is risky - no way.
"Yeah, [I feel] fine [about these countries hosting a race]," he continued. Ben Sulayem is from the UAE, and his family lives there. He believes it is currently safe to be in the country. Otherwise, he would not have his children there.
"You think I would leave them there and I'm here now with you [if it was dangerous]? You have to be sensible in this. Saying, 'Are we going to have an issue?' is one thing.
FIA presdient Mohammed Ben Sulayem talking with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali - Photo: Race Pictures
"But what you read in the media is actually different than what we have there. What we read and see on TV, we say, 'Where is it?' We don't have that, really. Otherwise why would I stay there? Why would I leave my family there?
"Does this say that there is nothing that is going to happen? I can't predict this. I can only tell you today that there is nothing and the two races are going to happen."
'The FIA is ready'
Ben Sulayem also added that he is happy with FIA staff traveling to the countries as well. In case members of the federation would be restricted from traveling to the region, the motorsport federation has another team ready as well. "Listen, I don't think the FIA staff would be more important to me than myself or my family. But if I am there it means I feel secure about this."
Asked whether the Imola circuit would still host the season finale if needed, Ben Sulayem said: "Of course, the FIA is always ready."