Hotels used by F1 and MotoGP teams on Iran’s list of potential targets

In recent weeks, American media outlets have quoted various sources as saying that the US is preparing another attack on Iran. Despite this threat, MotoGP and Formula 1 have not cancelled their upcoming races in the Middle East. MotoGP is scheduled to race in Qatar this weekend, while F1 is due to travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi later this month.

The big question is whether the safety of drivers, riders, teams, media and fans can be guaranteed if the races go ahead. Fars has published a list titled ‘Zero Hour’, naming dozens of locations across the Middle East that could be targeted in Iranian retaliation if the country is attacked again.

The list includes hotels in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates where MotoGP and Formula 1 teams stay during races in the region.

Yamaha has already announced that it will not travel to Qatar for this weekend’s MotoGP race. For now, the event is still going ahead, despite most riders not wanting to attend.

Formula 1 is also pressing ahead with its plans to race in the Middle East. However, GPblog reported last week that Formula One Management (FOM) would carry out a fresh assessment after the US midterm elections to decide whether the races should go ahead. Election day is this Tuesday.

This latest threat puts further pressure on FOM’s plans for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, appears to have reservations about travelling to the region. He spoke again in Mexico last weekend about the uncertainty surrounding the final races.

"Of course, it mainly depends on what kind of guarantees they can give us and what happens in the coming weeks. I could say now, ‘Yes, I’d be happy to go there,’ but you don’t know if that will still be the case next week, as the situation in the region is still unstable," Verstappen said.