FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem issues statement as the situation in the Middle East escalates

"We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly," wrote the FIA president in a post on Instagram.

"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship," he added. "Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever."

The opening WEC round takes place in Qatar later this month, while Bahrain hosts round four of the Formula One World Championship in early April, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for the week after.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted," wrote Ben Sulayem who is from Dubai.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 2 hours ago

"Absolutely agree with and stand together with everyone here: get out of the Middle East NOW!!

War declaration, together with retaliatory strikes on neighboring countries (Bahrain hotels just yesterday) must take precedent immediately with precautions eliminating all threats to innocent teams, event staff and the hundreds of thousands of fans that would make great targets. Sanctions imposed against Russia and Sochi GP events should be implored here immediately. Enough now."

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2. Posted by Wokingchap, 3 hours ago

"F1/FIA, Liberty.... get OUT of the middle east NOW ! B Sillyem, it's your home, GET OUT."

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3. Posted by Anthony, 3 hours ago

"Hmm…. By “families and communities impacted” is he including those in Iran? If he is, he’d better prepare himself for an onslaught and bullying from Trump….

Even if the bombing stops soon (which is quite a big if), it would take a brave person to guarantee that the conflict won’t erupt again this spring/summer. Perhaps the problem that they all face is that no one wants the responsibility for paying the financial cost of cancelling these events. "

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 4 hours ago

"“…stand with the families and communities impacted.” - Medical drops? Supplying surface to air missiles? Flying them to Switzerland for free? I’m sure they all feel comforted.
"

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5. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 16 hours ago

"Let's wait and see indeed. I remember back in 2012 Bahrain GP with locals calling for a cancellation do to the ongoing human rights atrocities being perpetrated by their government and the FIA went down there and took the North Korea "nothing to see here" VIP tour and the race went ahead. So who knows? I wouldn't be shocked if they staged it. Disgusted, yes... shocked no. "

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6. Posted by KKK, 19 hours ago

"Just cancel all races in the region until further notice . It's not a safe place to be for competitors,mechanics and spectators. "

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FIA to prioritise "safety and wellbeing"

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