Ludo van Denderen is a motorsport journalist at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 and international racing series.
Bruno Michel, CEO of Formula 2, expects the series to “simply” wrap up the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Despite the uncertain situation in the Middle East, the Frenchman in charge of the feeder series sees no reason to anticipate a cancellation.
The Middle East has been unsettled for many months, with the war between Iran and the United States, as well as the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, Formula 1 remains adamant that Grands Prix will be held in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at the end of the season. Formula 2 will also race at those events.
GPblog asked Bruno Michel at a media briefing this Thursday whether he was nevertheless considering the possibility that F2 might not travel to the Middle East: "Qatar and Abu Dhabi are on the calendar, and we are going to finish the championship in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi. We're following Formula 1 on that. F1 is completely aware of the situation and what needs to be done to make sure that we exercise those two races in the best conditions, which will be the case."
It is no secret that Formula 1 is keeping a race at Imola in reserve as an alternative. It is not known whether F2 would also race in Italy in that scenario. Asked about Imola, Michel reiterated: "Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not be cancelled. You know, we have an opinion on a lot of things. But I can tell you now that we want to finish the season there for sure. And that's what Formula One is doing as well, and that's where we're headed."
Is Camara already the F2 champion?
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Although public statements are intended to leave no doubt that the race weekends in the Middle East will go ahead, anyone thinking clearly knows that real uncertainty remains. In the worst-case scenario, if the Middle Eastern races are cancelled and there is no race at Imola, Formula 2 could already have a champion: Rafael Camara.
Michel acknowledged that nobody wants the F2 season to end now: "That would be very sad, let's put it that way. So I don't think it's going to happen. And I don't think it would be very good to go back and say, 'Oh, by the way, the champion was declared a month ago, but we could be crowning one now.' So yes, we absolutely want to finish the championship as planned."
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