Uncertainty over whether F1 will race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the season’s final rounds continues to grow, and Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack blames the media for “a lot of fear” and “distraction” over the topic.
While F1 seems insistent on finishing the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, instability in the Middle East creates a complex decision for the championship. The backup plan, if F1 decides not to head to the Middle East, is to race in Imola for the final round.
Asked about planning for the final rounds and whether the staff would be willing to travel to the region amid the instability, Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack told the media, including Motorsport Week, that it was a “difficult subject”.
“So I would say logistics and parts are not really a big deal. You just plan quantities, and then it’s about getting them [team personnel] there,” Krack said. “I think the staff is a valid question and a good question, because everybody reads the news, everybody reads the internet, and some news is correct, some is less serious
“Unfortunately, these days you get the clicks when you bring the shocking news or the threatening news.
“But there are questions raised inside the team because there are families that are asking questions, so it’s a difficult subject, and the more reassurance we can give, the better it is. But you cannot always do that. You cannot always give 100 per cent reassurance because also often we don’t know ourselves what’s going to happen.”
As MotoGP heads to Qatar this weekend, despite several expressions of reluctance to race there, it might help F1 assess the risk.
F1 still ‘evaluating that situation’ in the Middle East
Racing in the war zone poses a massive risk, and the FIA and F1 need to make crucial decisions about it. Several hotels normally used by F1 when racing in Qatar are on the Iranian state’s “zero-hour targets” and could be struck if the United States decides to attack and Iran seeks to retaliate.
Despite this, Krack is confident that F1 and the FIA will “take the correct action” as they weigh the risks before the end of the season.
“Now I discussed it in length with Andy [Stevenson] this morning, and we are really convinced that F1 is not going to take any unnecessary risks. They are aware of the situation. They have much better information than we have, and I think if there is a serious risk, I think they will take the correct action.
“I think at the moment they are still evaluating that situation, and I’m sure they have set themselves some deadlines, which we’re not over yet. So I think we need to give them the time to do that. But I would be really surprised if they take risks.
“This is the kind of news that is not helping at the moment, and it is generating a lot of distraction and a lot of fear unnecessarily. But as I said, I think F1 is aware of it; everyone is also reading these things, so I think they take the right steps.
“It’s always these situations where you know you are a bit left in the unknown, which makes people very uncomfortable. And it’s the same for everyone. It’s the same for me as well; you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
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