The FIA have cancelled an upcoming race in Qatar following the outbreak of hostilities.
Qatar has been struck by Iran following the outbreak of battle within the Center East (Picture: GETTY)
Various ex-F1 drivers have been affected by the army strikes in Qatar, with the FIA suspending the opening spherical of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) following the outbreak of hostilities within the area. Iran has launched strikes on its neighbours within the Center East, together with Qatar, after being bombarded by assaults from Israel and the US over the weekend. On Monday, the Qatari authorities acknowledged it had shot down two Iranian fighter jets and intercepted a number of ballistic missiles and drones.
The disaster within the Center East has affected sporting occasions all through the area, together with the Dubai Tennis Championships the place a lot of gamers have been left stranded. It has additionally impacted motorsport, with the FIA confirming that WEC’s opening spherical in Qatar has been postponed till the second half of the season. It was attributable to be held later this month.
A number of former F1 drivers are presently racing within the WEC within the hypercar and LMGT3 classes. The likes of Kamui Kobayashi, Nyck de Vries, Sebastian Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Will Stevens all compete within the hypercar class.
They’re joined by Jack Aitken, Sebastian Bourdais, Kevin Magnussen, Antonio Giovinazzi, Robert Kubica, Paul di Resta and Stoffel Vandoorne. Logan Sargeant, the previous Williams driver, competes within the LMGT3 class.
In a press release on Tuesday, the FIA stated: “Administration has been in fixed dialogue with the Qatar Motor and Bike Federation (QMMF) in mild of the present and evolving geopolitical state of affairs within the Center East.
“With the security and safety of rivals, personnel and followers of the utmost significance, the choice has been taken to delay the occasion that had been attributable to happen on 26-28 March.
“Following additional discussions with our colleagues at Lusail Worldwide Circuit (LIC), the place the race is held, a brand new date for the Qatar 1812km in the course of the second half of the marketing campaign can be finalised and communicated sooner or later.
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