Carlos Sainz claims it is "premature" for officials to claim that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events will go ahead as planned.

Despite the continued uncertainty over events in the region, both Stefano Domenilcali and Mohammed ben Sulayem are convinced the races will go ahead.

Sainz, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, doesn't share their confidence.

"They seem very convinced that it's going to go ahead," he told reporters in Austin. "On my personal side, I'm not speaking as the GPDA, it's very difficult to be convinced right now.

"There's still plenty of things happening in the Middle East and also there is obviously an election that is going to happen in the US and things that are going to happen in the political side of the world that could affect the next month, month-and-a-half," he added. "So I think it's relatively premature to be so convinced.

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

"The world can change a lot in the next month and we need to stay diligent and reactive to whatever happens and not just go because we want to go right now," the Spaniard warned.

Oscar Piastri, asked about the possibility of the season finale moving to Imola, admitted that he would prefer to see the race held in Australia.

"We might have to get some snowploughs out if we race in Imola," he laughed. "I think Imola is being kind of touted as the replacement. Hopefully it's above zero."