Of all people, Zara Larsson seems to reveal the fate of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GPblog previously reported that Formula 1 teams have been told they do not need to travel to the Middle East for the final races of the season. Due to the security situation in the region, the Grands Prix of Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not go ahead, they say off the record.

Behind the scenes, work is therefore in full swing on an alternative. Imola is set to become the new finale of the Formula 1 season. In the wider area around the Italian circuit, hotels have already been fully booked by Formula 1. Only the official confirmation of the revised calendar is still pending.

Outwardly, however, Formula One Management continues to insist that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be held. The organization at the Yas Marina Circuit is also acting as if nothing is wrong. GPblog was casually told last week that they are looking forward to welcoming the site’s journalists. Tickets are also still available, and the entertainment program is still being promoted.

Zara Larsson is one of the artists who was scheduled to perform. But she’s not going, she announced on Instagram. A follower urged her there to cancel the performance because of the role that, according to critics, the United Arab Emirates plays in the war in Sudan. Larsson responded with the message: "I will not going to Abu Dhabi." The posts were later deleted.

It is unclear whether Larsson is specifically citing the war in Sudan as the reason for her absence, or whether she’s not going because there simply won’t be a Grand Prix due to the crisis in the Middle East. There has not yet been a formal announcement that her performance has been scrapped.