Revealed: where F1 drivers and teams would shelter if the Qatar GP weekend comes under attack

Earlier this week, GPblog reported that teams were being briefed on emergency scenarios as freight was dispatched to the Middle East.

The seven-point guide shared by journalist Mat Oxley set out what to do when an alarm sounds. The full document goes further than that guide. It names the buildings people would shelter in and says how many people each one can hold.

According to reports, Lusail's security operations committee has activated an "internal shelter plan" dated 4 November. It names paddock buildings where competitors, team personnel and guests would take shelter.

The plan puts the capacity of a tunnel under the track at 3,500 people and the pit building at 8,100. Team hospitality units could hold 3,424 people and the commentary booths another 900. Toilets and shower blocks are also listed as shelter points.

The plan also sets out what happens after an incident. Staff should only leave on instructions from the championship, the circuit, their hotel or the local authorities, and not act on rumours. If Qatari airspace closes, personnel are told to stay together and wait for instructions. The championship would coordinate departures with the host authorities, and the document specifically warns against trying to leave the country independently by road.

The plan also sets out the roles of each security body involved, from Lusail's own security team and private contractors to the Ministry of Interior police, Civil Defence, and the aviation and cybersecurity authorities.

MotoGP is the first championship to race under the same plan, with its Qatar round at Lusail this weekend. Yamaha has withdrawn from the event.

Before travelling, the riders had asked for written shelter and evacuation plans, as well as insurance in case an airspace closure left personnel stuck in the country.

Francesco Bagnaia said that remains his main concern: "The only fear we can have is to get stuck here if they close the airport," the Ducati rider told reporters.

Liberty Media, which owns the commercial rights to both MotoGP and F1, has been adamant that the Middle East rounds will go ahead. How the shelter plan works in practice at the MotoGP round will be watched closely by the F1 paddock, which is due at the same circuit in three weeks.