Abu Dhabi and Qatar races to go ahead as scheduled, says FIA chief

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the president of motorsports’ governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Tuesday.

The last two grands prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year was scrapped following the outbreak of the United States and Israel’s war with Iran, while the Bahrain race was delayed and moved to Malaysia.

“We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” FIA chief Ben Sulayem said on social media.

“We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grands prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula One world championship.

“We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season. See you on the grid.”

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix organisers Ethara have ramped up preparations for the event, with extensive construction work already under way at Yas Marina Circuit.

The post-race entertainment line-up has also been unveiled, featuring an impressive roster of international stars, including Kings of Leon, Jennifer Lopez and Lewis Capaldi, who are set to perform in the UAE capital.

Ben Sulayem’s comments echo those made by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali last month.

F1 drivers have expressed mixed feelings about racing in the Middle East, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen among those to air his reservations.

Italian youngster Kimi Antonelli has already wrapped up the drivers’ world championship title, while his Mercedes team secured the constructors’ crown last weekend in Sao Paulo.

Several events in Saudi Arabia, which borders Qatar and the UAE, have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks following attacks on the country by Yemen’s Houthis.

Piastri and Webber part ways in mutual split: McLaren Formula One driver Oscar Piastri and fellow-Australians Mark and Ann Webber have ended their management agreement, they said on Monday.

Nine-times grand prix winner Webber started working with Piastri in 2019 and was instrumental in the driver joining McLaren in 2023 in place of compatriot Daniel Ricciardo and instead of remaining with Alpine.

Renault-owned Alpine had wanted to promote Piastri to a race seat after double world champion Fernando Alonso announced he was leaving for Aston Martin, but the Australian rejected the offer.

“We are proud to have played a pivotal role in the formative years of Oscar’s career and to have placed him in F1 so that he could compete at the front so early in,” Webber said in a statement.

“Following our reduced trackside involvement this season, we have collectively agreed that now is an appropriate time to bring our management agreement to a close.

“This will allow Oscar to build on his achievements under a new management structure and for us to embark on our new ventures.”

Piastri, who won back to back titles in Formula Three and Formula Two in 2020 and 2021, thanked the pair for support and recognised their guidance had been invaluable.

The Australian has not won a race this season, after looking like he might win the championship last year before being overhauled by teammate Lando Norris and ending up third. He finished sixth in Brazil on Sunday.

The winner of nine grands prix has not been on the podium for 16 races and is lying seventh in this year’s standings.

Hamilton visits Rafah crossing to see Gaza aid efforts: Seven-times Formula One world champion Hamilton arrived in Egypt’s El Arish on Tuesday to see first hand efforts to receive humanitarian and relief aid bound for the Gaza Strip.

The North Sinai governorate said on its Facebook page that the visit included a tour of the Rafah border crossing and the Egyptian Red Crescent’s aid warehouses in El Arish.

Hamilton was briefed on how humanitarian and relief aid is prepared and coordinated before being sent to the Gaza Strip.

The 41-year-old British driver is an advocate for humanitarian and charitable causes.

In 2021, he founded Mission 44, a charity aimed at supporting young people and improving access to education and employment opportunities.

He has also backed humanitarian and relief initiatives and efforts to support people affected by conflict. Ferrari driver Hamilton sits fourth in the drivers’ championship.

Agencies