So, there’s been a lot of buzz about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix possibly getting the ax due to concerns related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. But, word on the street – or in the F1 paddock, rather – is that these cancellation rumors are a bit overblown.
Sure, there have been worries about running the Abu Dhabi GP safely, especially with the ongoing military situation. The UK’s Foreign Office even updated travel advisories, pointing out potential terrorist threats in the UAE. They mentioned possible attacks, including in places frequented by foreigners, and a raised threat against Western interests.
Now, last week’s advisory detailed missile and drone attacks into the UAE from Yemen throughout 2022, with Houthi strikes in Abu Dhabi and air defense responses. The UK Foreign Office thinks more attacks could be in the cards.
But, here’s the scoop: inside sources from F1 teams say that, yeah, the advisory got updated, but it’s not a game-changer. The info aligns with advice for residents of other countries like Belgium, Germany, France, and Bahrain – advice that hasn’t budged for years. So, even though it might sound serious, folks in the F1 paddock aren’t hitting the panic button. They’re all in the loop, and as of now, no one’s chatting about canceling the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The teams and their big shots got the lowdown, and there’s no red flag waving about hosting the race.
