Worrying news as Qatar Emir warns of ‘worst possibilities’ as F1 plans to race in Qatar
Photo: Race Pictures
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Qatar’s Emir has urged institutions and citizens to prepare for “the worst possibilities”, providing a sobering backdrop to Formula 1’s intention to press ahead with the Qatar Grand Prix.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s warning, shared by Alaraby TV, comes as F1 continues to plan for its scheduled end-of-season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“We must be prepared for the worst possibilities and everyone must bear their responsibilities, institutions and citizens,” the Emir said, in comments translated from Arabic.
The statement does not mention Formula 1 or announce any change to the grand prix. Nevertheless, the call for national preparedness highlights the uncertainty surrounding the regional situation, even as the championship maintains its intention to travel to Lusail.
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F1 confirms its plans, but the assurances remain crucial
Earlier this month, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reaffirmed that Qatar and Abu Dhabi would retain their places at the end of the calendar.
“Yes, as we’ve already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two grands prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” Domenicali told reporters. However, his explanation contained an important qualification.
“This is the direction we’ve taken based on the information and reassurances we have, and which we absolutely must have, of course.”
Qatar is scheduled to host its race on November 29, followed by the Abu Dhabi finale on December 6. Those remain F1’s plans, but the Emir’s warning underlines why confirmation of the calendar cannot be treated as a guarantee that circumstances will remain unchanged.
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Qatar organisers acknowledge what they cannot predict
Lusail’s organisers have also drawn a distinction between being ready to host F1 and being able to predict the wider situation.
“The plan is to have the race,” circuit president Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai previously said, adding, “Of course, there are things that we cannot predict. It’s difficult. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Meanwhile, Imola has been identified as a contingency should the Middle Eastern rounds become unviable, with preparations underway for that possibility.
The Emir’s comments are not evidence that the Qatar Grand Prix will be cancelled however they do, however, sharpen the question facing F1: its intention is to proceed, but will the conditions supporting that decision hold?
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