F1 and FIA warned over 'relatively premature' Middle East decision

Carlos Sainz feels it is "relatively premature" for F1 and the FIA to sound so convinced that the season-ending grands prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned.

Both governing bodies have repeatedly stated in recent weeks that the Gulf events remain on track, even as regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran have prompted scrutiny of travel routes and personnel safety across the area.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has maintained that the organisation works directly with promoters and governments in the region and will not send competitors or staff anywhere it deems unsafe, while insisting current conditions support going ahead with both races.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali's organisation, meanwhile, has continued reviewing security assessments alongside the relevant authorities.

Williams driver Sainz, though, has warned that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East could still shift dramatically before the cars reach Lusail.

Sainz has questioned the certainty being projected by the sport's leadership given how much could still change in the coming weeks.

"They seem very convinced that they're going to go ahead," said Grand Prix Drivers' Association director Sainz, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

"On my personal side, and not speaking as the GPDA, it's very difficult to be convinced right now because there are still plenty of things happening in the Middle East.

"Also, there is obviously an election that is going to happen in the U.S. [referring to the midterms] and things that are going to happen on the political side of the world that could affect the next month, month and a half, very suddenly.

"I think it's relatively premature to be so convinced."

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Sainz - 'We need to follow their lead'

Sainz, however, stopped short of calling for the races to be scrapped, stressing that drivers are reliant on information they simply do not have access to.

"As it stands, we would go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and if the FIA and Formula 1 decide that it's still safe and a good scenario, I think we, as drivers, have to go with whatever they say," said the Spaniard.

"We don't have as much political information, as much inside information as they have, so we need to follow their lead and trust in their decision-making.

"But as it stands, the world can change a lot in the next month, month and a half, and we need to stay diligent and reactive to whatever happens, and not just go because we want to go right now."

It is understood that if the two races are cancelled at any stage, then F1 would head to the Italian circuit of Imola for the season-ending grand prix over the first weekend in December.