Hamilton hopes F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi proceed

Lewis Hamilton said he hopes Formula 1 will hold its Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix as scheduled, while leaving the decision to the sport’s leadership because he does not have full information about regional risks. The two races remain on the published 2026 calendar, but reports differ on whether teams are still expected to travel and whether a replacement event is likely. No final decision has been established in the available information. Speaking in Baku ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver said he personally wanted to return to the region and trusted F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali to make the right decision. Hamilton said he had read that conditions appeared acceptable but did not know the full risk levels. His comments express a preference to race, not an assessment that the events are safe to hold. The Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are listed as the final two rounds of the season. One account says the calendar position remains officially unchanged and that contingency planning continues, with Imola considered as a possible replacement for Abu Dhabi alone if needed.