'TV broadcasters threaten to boycott Qatar and Abu Dhabi F1 weekends'

Formula 1 broadcasters are rumored to follow the approach taken by MotoGP TV crews, with the latter competition visiting Qatar this weekend. According to BILD, France's Canal+, Austria's Servus TV and Spain's DAZN are planning not to send TV crews to the Middle East for the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix if they go ahead as scheduled.

Reportedly, Sky Sports, which broadcasts races in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, is also considering similar measures.

Additionally, the German outlet reports that employees of a sports equipment manufacturer that supplies several Formula 1 teams will not travel to these races, even though they are usually present in the paddock.

Despite most MotoGP riders being against travelling to the Qatar Grand Prix and Yamaha pulling out of the weekend entirely, the event is currently going ahead as planned.

Only Spain's DAZN sent its crew to the Lusail International Circuit for this weekend. The other broadcasters, such as TNT Sports in the United Kingdom and Sky Sports in Italy, are conducting interviews with the riders remotely.

Ducati's Marc Marquez was also asked about the situation during Thursday's press conference. The Ducati rider said: "I mean, I would like to be in another place. For that reason, I arrived on the latest flight possible, and I will leave on the earliest flight possible. But we are here, we are ready to race, and with full concentration."