According to Allan McNish, it would be no problem to reschedule the season finale even at short notice – but he currently expects the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to go ahead
Formula 1 is still planning to hold the two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Although there have been reports in recent days that the conflict in the region between the US and Iran could flare up again, Formula 1 intends to go ahead with the final two races of the season on 29 November and 6 December.
“At the moment, there is [bei diesem Thema] no news,” says Audi’s racing director Allan McNish, explaining: “The MotoGP is taking place there next week [in Katar]. […] We have no up-to-date information. So we are planning to travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi.”
Whilst Formula 1 does not intend to travel to Qatar for another three weeks, the MotoGP will be racing there as early as this coming weekend. However, the decision not to cancel the race is certainly controversial. Yamaha has already announced that it will not be taking part in the Grand Prix.
As things stand, all Formula 1 teams will travel to Qatar, provided the Grand Prix is not cancelled at short notice. “Of course, we’ll wait and see if anything changes. And if it does, we’ll react accordingly. But for the moment, everything remains as it is,” said McNish.
McNish: Why should we be put at risk?
The Scot also confirmed that the teams’ equipment is already on its way to the Middle East. “All our logistics are already underway. We don’t have a deadline,” emphasised McNish, who explained that he does not expect any problems with staging the race.
“Ultimately, I don’t understand why we should be exposed to an unjustified risk. What’s the logic behind it? There isn’t any. So, as far as I’m concerned, if all the necessary due diligence has been carried out – and I assume that is the case – then we’ll take the circus there,” says McNish.
Or to put it another way: Formula 1 wouldn’t organise a race there unless they were themselves convinced that it was absolutely safe. He points out: “It’s not just one or two teams. It’s a huge circus. So I think they would carry out their due diligence.”
For the sake of completeness, however, it should be mentioned that the Qatar Grand Prix is, in a sense, a home race for Audi, as the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) holds a stake in the Formula 1 team. It is therefore logical that Audi will not speak out against the race going ahead.
Preparations for Imola could be sorted out quickly
Should the last two races of the season be cancelled after all, a replacement finale at Imola on the first weekend in December remains a possibility. In this context, McNish makes it clear that the teams would not need any significant lead time for this.
Work in the simulator would only begin two weeks before the Grand Prix anyway, he explains. “It’s no big deal. We can carry out the simulation very quickly,” says McNish, explaining that the teams now know their cars well enough so close to the end of the season.
“It’s not as if anything would change. So, to be honest, I don’t think much simulation would be needed for this. It would be fairly straightforward stuff,” he says, adding: “The drivers would have to get used to it. But they’ve raced there before.”
From the teams’ point of view, therefore, the season finale could still be rescheduled at short notice.