Carlos Sainz has expressed reservations regarding the certainty of the 2026 Formula 1 season concluding in the Middle East. The Williams driver, also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), described the current conviction that the final races will proceed as scheduled as “premature.”
Sainz cited the ongoing regional conflict and potential political developments as reasons for his doubt. He made these comments during a press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix, currently underway in Austin.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, however, remains firm on the schedule. On Tuesday, October 20, Ben Sulayem stated that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix “are going to happen.” He affirmed the FIA’s commitment to not sending personnel to any location deemed risky, noting his own family resides in the region.
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar lists the Qatar Grand Prix for November 27-29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4-6. These events are set to form the concluding triple-header of the season, following the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Middle East continues to experience significant instability. The US-Israel war with Iran, which began in February 2026, remains active. Reports indicate that the United States and Israel are preparing for renewed military operations against Iran following the US midterm elections on November 3.
Iran has issued warnings, stating it would target oil and artificial intelligence facilities across the Gulf if further US-Israeli attacks occur. This adds to the existing tensions in the region.
Separately, Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday, October 21, two individuals were killed and eight injured in a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Riyadh’s international airport was also recently targeted.
The US State Department has ordered non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia due to the escalating Houthi attacks. Houthi forces have also claimed strikes on the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Yanbu refinery.
Earlier in the 2026 season, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were postponed due to the conflict. The Saudi Arabian event was subsequently cancelled, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled and held in Malaysia in October.
Other international sporting events in Saudi Arabia, including the World Rally Championship finale, have been cancelled or postponed. The Dakar Rally is also reportedly considering a relocation from Saudi Arabia for January.
Formula 1 has contingency plans in place, with Italy’s Imola circuit identified as a potential alternative venue should the Middle Eastern races be deemed unfeasible.
Other drivers present at the United States Grand Prix press conference offered less direct opinions. Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar stated they would trust the decisions made by Formula 1 and the FIA. Max Verstappen, who previously voiced reservations, has since expressed confidence in the FIA’s safety assessments.
“They seem very convinced that it’s going to go ahead. I think on my personal side, and not speaking as a GPDA, it’s very difficult to be convinced right now because there’s still plenty of things happening in the Middle East,” Sainz stated.
Sainz further noted that the world could change significantly in the coming month and a half, necessitating a reactive approach rather than a fixed commitment.
