Team bosses reveal F1 has "three different plans" for racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi

After F1 drivers spoke out on the world championship visiting Qatar and Abu Dhabi while a conflict continues in the region, now some team bosses have said the championship is preparing them for all eventualities.

The end of the 2026 season hangs in the balance, with F1 unsure it can visit the Middle East in the current circumstances.

Carlos Sainz was forced to issue a statement last week after earlier saying he was against racing there - his Williams team boss James Vowles is the latest to weigh in.

Team principals say F1 is presenting different options for season finale

With the situation in the Middle East very fragile, and Saudi Arabia seeing attacks on its airports recently from the Yemen’s Houthi rebels, many have been questioning F1’s plans to race there in the coming weeks.

Williams principal James Vowles and his opposite number at Red Bull, Laurent Mekies, spoke about the world championship’s contingency plans before the Mexico City GP.

“What I would say is F1 and the FIA have been very good at providing us updates, and they have an A plan, B plan, C plan,” revealed Vowles.

“This is not a decision they're taking lightly, as you would imagine, as a result of it.

“We do trust their process, because they are displaying to us a very large depth of analysis behind what they're doing.”

Mekies was asked for his frank views on the situation, but still did his best to remain diplomatic.

READ MORE: What every F1 driver has said about racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as Carlos Sainz statement issued

“We actually do trust the FIA and F1, because that's the reality in all seriousness, it is a serious topic, [...] and it is typically the FIA and F1’s task to approach it in the most complete way with a full set of informations and to give us the direction on that.

“And this is why - us not doing the same effort as them in terms of assessing the situations - we fully rely on them to make the right call.

“I have to say that history has shown that they have made most of these calls very right in the past.

“So in terms of deadlines, I think all the teams are in the same boat, and we have the logistic is very much channelled through F1 and the FIA anyway.”

What will F1 do next in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?

F1 and FIA president Muhammed Ben Sulayem have insisted that the Middle East GPs will go ahead, but situation in that part of the world must still be worrying for the sport.

Geopolitical experts have warned that violence in the region could flare up again after the US’s mid-term elections, with President Trump apparently planning another offensive.

The second option could possibly be to hold the races in Europe instead, similar to how the World Endurance Championship has raced in Barcelona and Monza in place of Qatar and Bahrain.

The third choice could be to simply end the season early with Las Vegas becoming the 2026 finale.