Qatar F1 Grand Prix plans press ahead despite uncertainty over November race

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has stressed that planning for the country’s major international motorsport events remains fully underway, even as it continues to monitor regional developments.

The comments come after the cancellation of this year’s Qatar 1812km, the opening round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season at Lusail. The endurance race was initially postponed and rescheduled for October, but was subsequently cancelled following regional logistical and travel challenges.

Despite that setback, QMMF president Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said the organisation remains committed to international motorsport and is already looking ahead to welcoming the WEC back to Lusail for the opening round of the 2027 season.

Attention now turns to November, when Lusail is scheduled to host both MotoGP and Formula 1, with Imola rumoured to hold a second race in Italy.

Al Mannai said QMMF cannot afford to pause preparations for either event while the regional situation remains fluid. Instead, the federation is maintaining close communication with the relevant championships and assessing developments as they unfold.

“We cannot stop our plans for MotoGP and Formula 1. We have to be ready,” Al Mannai said.

He acknowledged that there are factors outside the organisers’ control, but insisted that preparations are continuing and that discussions with Formula 1 remain positive.

Asked whether the current situation could affect the Qatar Grand Prix, Al Mannai said the plan remains for the race to take place.

“The plan is to have the race. We are up and running and preparing for MotoGP and it’s the same with our discussions with Formula 1,” he said.

However, he also admitted that the situation remains difficult to predict.

“There are things that we cannot predict. It’s difficult. We don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said, adding that developments over the next couple of months would be crucial.

For now, QMMF’s position is clear: preparations will continue unless circumstances force a change.

“We are taking it one step at a time to see the situation and assess,” Al Mannai said. “But so far, everything is good. Everything is a go-ahead.”

GPBlog has reported how F1 teams want a swift decision from FOM as to whether the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are set to go ahead as planned.