F1 Today | FIA postpone Qatar race amid Middle East conflict, as Lewis Hamilton slams 'doubters'
Photo: Race Pictures
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
As ever, here are the two main stories of the day, on Tuesday 3 March.
FIA postpone Qatar race amid Middle East conflict
The FIA have postponed the 2026 World Endurance Championship season opener set to take place at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar on March 26-28 as the ongoing US-Iran conflict in the Middle East threatens the F1 schedule.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "The FIA continues to monitor developments across the region and our thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events as we hope for calm, safety and a return to stability.”
Currently, no F1 races have been postponed, but speculation surrounds upcoming races in the Middle East, particularly those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April - as does rumours over potential replacements.
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Portimão and Imola have been raised as possible stand-ins for F1, but GPblog has confirmed that they both appear to be difficult options currently.
Photo: Race Pictures
Lewis Hamilton slams 'doubters' in defiant 20th season message
Lewis Hamilton has marked his 20th season in F1 with a raw social media statement, reflecting on his career’s “incredible highs and brutal lows” before sending a defiant “no holding back” message to those “who tried to knock me down.”
On Instagram, the Briton shared pictures from every year he has raced in F1, adding he is still "focused on the dream" of winning an eighth world title.
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Hamilton wrote: “I’m forever grateful for the lessons, the quiet moments, the chaos, and the many people who helped me chase and achieve my dreams.
“I’m grateful for the doubters and for the ones who tried to knock me down, too. I'm still here, 20 years on, still standing, still hungry, still focused on the dream. No holding back"
Photo: Race Pictures
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