Lewis Hamilton has expressed his support for retaining Qatar and Abu Dhabi on Formula One’s calendar. The seven-time world champion was confident that the sport’s governing body would make the right decisions on future races, including the final two grands prix of this season, during his press conference ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hamilton Qatar Abu Dhabi F1
His remarks come amid growing speculation about the sport’s future as F1 faces up against its final races of this year. The events of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix were postponed earlier this year and replaced by the race in Malaysia’s Sepang circuit.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the schedule as things stand, though organisers are believed to have Imola on standby as a contingency should either round prove unworkable.
Hamilton, who now drives for Ferrari, said his information suggested conditions in the region were currently stable, even as he acknowledged he wasn’t privy to the full picture on risk assessments.
He said he was placing his confidence in F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali to reach the right call for the sport, adding that he personally hoped the races would go ahead as planned.
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit has closed out the F1 calendar every year since 2009 and has been the stage for several defining moments in Hamilton’s career, making it one of his most familiar venues on the circuit. Qatar, by contrast, is a newer addition to the calendar but has quickly become part of the season’s closing stretch.
Beyond the logistics, the uncertainty carries championship implications. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli currently holds an 81-point lead over teammate George Russell with nine rounds still to run, while Hamilton sits third in the standings on 191 points.
Formula One is contractually required to stage a minimum of 23 races this season to satisfy broadcaster commitments, meaning a substitute venue would likely be needed if either Gulf race were scrapped entirely. Alawasat News
