The FIA has confirmed that the World Endurance Championship prologue and season-opener – both in Qatar – have been cancelled due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
With lingering effects and a likelihood of continuing repercussions from last weekend’s air strikes, conducted in retaliation to the US and Isreal’s joint-attack on Iran, which killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Qatar was just one of the countries affected in the counter-strikes, which affected other nations on the Persian Gulf.
This left the sport’s governing body with a necessity to monitor the situation, spanning across to Formula 1, with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, set for April, also under threat.
But with the Prologue and the Qatar 1821km set for March 22-23 and March 28 respectively, the FIA has been left with no option but to cancel both events.
In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:
“The safety and wellbeing of our community will always be the FIA’s first priority, and I thank our Member Club the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation, Lusail International Circuit, the ACO and our championship colleagues for the measured and collaborative approach that has led to this decision.
“As the opening event of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Qatar 1812km holds a special place for many fans, drivers and teams alike, and we will work closely with all involved to reschedule the race for later in the 2026 season.
“The FIA continues to monitor developments across the region and our thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events as we hope for calm, safety and a return to stability.”
Motorsport Week understands that the situation of the potentially-affected F1 races continues to be given close scrutiny by the FIA, as the season opens in Melbourne this weekend.
READ MORE – FIA: ‘Safety and wellbeing’ key factors amid potential Middle East F1 race cancellation
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