Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-07 · by Daniella Matar And James Ellingworth The Associated Press
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 by the local model 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 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 6798 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
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.”
asserted
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.
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finale → consider → Italy
Ben Sulayem told the AP it remains “business as usual.
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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?
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people → go → risk
But we’ll have also to listen to the governments and to the local promoter there.”
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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.
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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.
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F1 → call → Bahrain
“Do I feel disappointed?
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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.
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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.”
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that → live → priority
Ben Sulayem added that “for the time being, there is no emergency” in deciding a calendar for the 2027 season.
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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.
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Antonelli → move → grid
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Ellingworth reported from Duesseldorf, Germany.
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Ellingworth → report → Duesseldorf
