The Carlos Sainz situation shows just how much F1 has descended into chaos

When Sainz walked out of the press conference room at the Circuit of the Americas on Thursday afternoon, something still didn’t sit right with him. Just moments earlier, the Spaniard had explained that he was not sure the Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi would go ahead as planned, given that the situation in the Middle East remained precarious.

But was that really the case? The Williams driver wondered on his way back to the Williams hospitality suite. After all, Formula One Management (FOM) had promised that the safety of the drivers and everyone in the sport would come first. So if FOM says it is safe, who was he to doubt that? Sainz therefore decided to call over the head of Williams’ communications department and ask them to draft a statement in which he could offer further clarification.

A few hours later, GPblog, among others, received this message: "Following the reports about my comments during today’s earlier press conference regarding the end of the season in the Middle East, I want to make it clear that I know the FIA and Formula 1 will put safety first. I have complete confidence that they will make the right decision. We look forward to racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."

The above is an account of how events may have unfolded, but everyone in the F1 paddock realises that Sainz did not issue this statement of his own accord. Williams and Sainz were likely put under considerable pressure behind the scenes to walk back his comments at the press conference, because the last thing Formula One Management wants right now is any uncertainty over the races in the Middle East. They’re going ahead. For now.

In conversations with people involved, GPblog has heard that FOM’s stated position, as presented to the teams, is indeed that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead. Behind the scenes, however, the situation is far from certain. There is still a major stalemate, this website has learned.

If FOM cancels the Grands Prix itself, it will lose tens of millions in revenue. But if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cancel them, FOM can send them the bill. In short, it’s a battle of wills: FOM versus the organisers.

FOM is undoubtedly well aware of what is happening and is following the news. For example, the United States has advised family members of embassy staff in the region to leave.

In addition, the US naval fleet in the Middle East has been reinforced, while Houthi rebels continue to attack neighbouring Saudi Arabia. There are also increasingly prominent reports that US President Donald Trump wants to resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections in early November.

No sensible person would take the risk of traveling to Qatar or Abu Dhabi under these circumstances, with the possibility of being caught up in a war. Especially not when traveling that way with planes full of extremely expensive cargo and thousands of colleagues. Only Formula One Management is acting as if nothing is wrong.