F1 drivers not demanding cancellation of Qatar and Abu Dhabi races

There is unrest in MotoGP, with two-thirds of the riders reportedly calling for the Qatar race, scheduled for just under two weeks’ time, to be cancelled. They are said to believe that travelling to the region would be too dangerous given the unrest. For now, MotoGP has no plans to grant the request from its leading riders, and the race remains scheduled to go ahead.

Formula 1 is currently planning to travel to the Middle East at the end of November for two Grands Prix. Formula One Management, which ultimately has the final say on whether the races go ahead, is monitoring the volatile situation but has repeatedly said they will not be cancelled.

GPblog understands that the issue has not been raised by Formula 1 drivers. There has been no vote and no subsequent request to FOM to be excused from travelling.

Of course, it is difficult to say why there is such a clear difference between MotoGP riders and their Formula 1 counterparts. One possible factor is timing: MotoGP is due to travel in a week and a half, shortly after the US elections, amid concerns that the conflict between the US and Iran could escalate again.

While the drivers are not concerned, the picture is different elsewhere in the F1 paddock. Some team members would rather not travel to the Middle East, fearing they could become stranded in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates.

Especially after a long and exhausting season, they want to get home as soon as possible. Media representatives are also hesitant about attending the races, for reasons similar to those cited by team members.