F1 sticks to its guns over final races, despite Yamaha's withdrawal from Qatar's MotoGP round.

While F1 fans were understandably focussed on events in Mexico City at the weekend, the world of MotoGP - which is also majority owned by Liberty Media - was rocked by Yamaha's announcement that it would not contest the forthcoming Qatar race.

The Japanese manufacturer claimed it had seen "no sufficient grounds" to ignore official government policy which is currently restricting travel to the Middle East due to the war in Iran.

At a time it is claimed that as many as 17 riders are against competing in the event, MotoGP effectively warned of repercussions for Yamaha should it miss the race.

Meanwhile, F1 teams were told that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix will go ahead, while also calling on the teams - and thereby personnel, including drivers - not to speak publicly about the situation.

While Max Verstappen has claimed that previous comments suggesting he was against racing in the Middle East were taken out of context, ahead of the United States Grand Prix, GPDA director, Carlos Sainz admitted that it was "very difficult to be convinced right now" that F1 should be in the Middle East, though he too subsequently did an about turn.

Seemingly, the sport is in constant contact with all the relevant authorities, and insists it has been assured that the events can go ahead.

Having previously spoken to film director George Lucas about the impact of the 2026 regulations, one wonders if Stefano Domenicali has been on the hotline to Donald Trump and Mojtaba Khamenei but one never knows.

There is talk that Trump's attitude towards the war could change following today's mid-term elections, while Iran has effectively said that all American 'allies' are acceptable targets. The UAE is home to numerous, sizeable American bases, while Liberty Media is an American company.

There is a contingency plan, should the events be cancelled, to host the season finale in Imola, but as yet F1 appears to be leaving the deadline to make the decision until the last possible moment.