How are Formula 1 drivers responding to uncertainty over the 2026 Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix amid the Middle East war, including Max Verstappen’s refusal to rule out a boycott, Sergio Perez’s view that the decision rests with F1 and the FIA, and Valtteri Bottas’s objections

The drivers are not taking a single position: Verstappen has questioned racing near the war and declined to rule out a boycott, Pérez says the call belongs to F1 and the FIA, and Bottas is wary of the proposed Italian fallback. Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain scheduled for November 29 and December 6, but F1 has deferred a decision on whether they can proceed until around mid-October.3511

• Verstappen: He has said he would rather not race in the region while the conflict continues. Asked whether he would boycott the events if they went ahead, he avoided ruling it out—but did not announce a boycott.34
• Pérez: His position is to leave the safety and calendar decision to F1 and the FIA, rather than have drivers settle it individually.
• Bottas: He objects to an Imola finale because racing in Italy could create tax complications for drivers, while a December race could bring cold, wet conditions. Verstappen, by contrast, has played down the tax objection.794
• Why there is no final calendar yet: Reports say cancelling the lucrative Qatar and Abu Dhabi races could carry a substantial financial cost, including lost hosting-fee income. Meanwhile, Imola has been cleared to prepare as a contingency, and teams have reportedly booked accommodation there. Those preparations keep a replacement possible; they do not mean F1 has cancelled either Middle Eastern race or confirmed Imola as the finale.813110