The Aporia · FIA President Ben Sulayem says F1 drivers and teams won't be put 'at risk' over Middle East events

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defended the scheduling uncertainty surrounding this year's Formula 1 season finale, stating that drivers and team staff will not be put at risk due to the Middle East security situation. The F1 season is currently scheduled to end with a Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and an Abu Dhabi event on December 6. Ben Sulayem has been in regular communication with F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, emphasizing that "business as usual" will continue unless necessary changes are made. A potential replacement finale at the Imola circuit in Italy is considered the likeliest option.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-07, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

Story summary

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is from the Middle East, has stated that Formula 1 drivers and team staff will not be put at risk due to uncertainty over the region's security situation. Despite concerns, the F1 season remains scheduled to end with a Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and a season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 6. However, F1 has been exploring alternative venues, including a potential replacement finale at the Imola circuit in Italy. Ben Sulayem emphasized that it's "business as usual" unless changes are necessary, and he is in regular communication with F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali about the situation.

Written for “F1 Middle East Events” on 2026-10-22, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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MONZA, Italy (AP) — FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has defended the wait for clarity over how this year’s Formula 1 season will end amid uncertainty over the Middle East security situation but tells The Associated Press that drivers and team staff will not be put “at risk.”

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-07

2026-09-07 · Toronto Star

FIA President Ben Sulayem says F1 drivers and teams won't be put 'at risk' over Middle East events · assertive framing

drivers → defend → risk

The F1 season is still scheduled to end Qatar Grand Prix on Nov. 29 and the season finale in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6, but F1 has been examining potential alternative venues. asserted

F1 → schedule → venues

A replacement finale at the Imola circuit in Italy is widely considered the likeliest option. asserted

finale → consider → Italy

Ben Sulayem told the AP it remains “business as usual. asserted

it → tell → AP

We are not changing anything unless we have to,” and said he’s in regular communication with F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali. asserted

he → change → Domenicali

“Being from that part of the world, we can’t jump the gun and just say, that’s it, we are canceling and then cancel,” he added. asserted

he → jump → gun

“Are we going to allow our people, our staff, the drivers or the teams to go at risk? asserted

people → go → risk

But we’ll have also to listen to the governments and to the local promoter there.” asserted

we → have → promoter

F1 sets its own calendar and agreements with host venues, but as the governing body, the FIA must approve the schedule and any changes. asserted

FIA → set → schedule

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was called off and Bahrain moved Iran has previously targeted Qatar and the UAE, which includes Abu Dhabi, as part of its response to U.S. airstrikes and F1 called off the other two Middle East rounds earlier in the season — in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. asserted

F1 → call → Bahrain

“Do I feel disappointed? asserted

I → feel → ?

I think human lives are more important than motor sport,” said Ben Sulayem, who is from the United Arab Emirates, when asked about the impact on his home region of losing its events. asserted

who → think → events

“And the well-being of my family being there and the UAE nationals and everyone that lives there comes as a priority.” asserted

that → live → priority

Ben Sulayem added that “for the time being, there is no emergency” in deciding a calendar for the 2027 season. asserted

Sulayem → add → season

Imola could mean another party in Italy for Antonelli If the season does end in Imola, it would mean that Kimi Antonelli’s quest to become F1’s youngest champion could now end with the party of a lifetime, just down the road from his home city of Bologna. uncertain

quest → mean → Bologna

When Antonelli raced there last year, he invited his family and his whole school class to see him at the track. asserted

he → race → track

The 20-year-old Antonelli moved 66 points clear in the title race with a statement victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, after an epic fightback from the back of the grid. asserted

Antonelli → move → grid

___ Ellingworth reported from Duesseldorf, Germany. asserted

Ellingworth → report → Duesseldorf

FIA President Ben Sulayem says F1 drivers and teams won't be put 'at risk' over Middle East events

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