‘I hope there’s peace’: Hamilton wants F1’s planned Qatar and Abu Dhabi races to go ahead

The prospect of the championship ending at the Italian circuit has been discussed amid uncertainty surrounding the final rounds of the campaign. While Hamilton praised Imola as a circuit to drive, the Ferrari driver believes it would not provide the most compelling setting for a title-deciding race.

The seven-time world champion pointed to the circuit’s layout and surface as reasons why an Imola finale may prove difficult from a racing perspective.

Hamilton instead hopes F1 will be able to retain the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix on the calendar, while acknowledging that the wider situation remains complicated and is not something he has full visibility over.

The comments come as F1 continues to assess the implications of the situation in the region ahead of the final stretch of the season. Azerbaijan recently hosted the Baku race, with Hamilton highlighting that the championship has already travelled to an event relatively close to the area of concern.

For Hamilton, the overriding hope is that the planned Middle Eastern events can take place safely and that peace can be restored.

Abu Dhabi, in particular, is a venue Hamilton would like to see remain as the season-ending race. The Yas Marina Circuit has traditionally hosted the final round of the F1 calendar and has staged several defining championship moments over the years.

While no final decision has been confirmed over the end-of-season schedule, Hamilton has made his preference clear: F1 should aim to complete its planned Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds, with a decision imminent, provided conditions allow the sport to do so safely.