- Lewis Hamilton has expressed his hope that Formula One will proceed with its scheduled end-of-season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, despite paddock unease and British Foreign Office warnings regarding the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
- While Imola has been placed on standby as a backup venue, F1 decision-makers are currently prepared to wait on a final resolution, with expectations that at least one of the Middle Eastern races will be staged.
- The ongoing regional tension has already disrupted the current calendar, forcing the cancellation of rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with an unusual 'Bahrain Grand Prix' being held at Sepang in Malaysia.
- Hamilton strongly criticised the inclusion of a sprint event at Monaco on next year's expanded 24-race calendar, arguing that sprint races are not the answer to improving the notoriously dull action in the principality.
- The British driver also voiced opposition to plans to shorten regular race distances by nine miles next season for updated engine regulations, stating that races ought to be longer to properly challenge athletes physically.
IN FULL
‘I personally want to go’: Lewis Hamilton hopes F1 finishes season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi
