Regarding MotoGP riders as geopolitically naive, Toto Wolff insists he has total confidence in F1 and the FIA in term of the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

This weekend's MotoGP event in Qatar went ahead without Yamaha, and while a number of riders with other teams were said to be against racing there, the event passed off peacefully.

However, doubt as to the season ending F1 races continues, with a number of broadcasters rumoured to be looking to maintain their coverage from outside the region.

It is understood that in the coming week, providing nothing changes in the region, F1 will tell officials in Imola to effectively stand down, as the events in the Middle East will be going ahead.

Speaking in Brazil, Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff insists that he has total confidence in the stance the sport is taking.

"Stefano and Mohammed have been pretty clear about the situation, that Formula 1 follows what the international guidelines are, whether there are travel restrictions, airlines not flying, any warnings in the region, the kind of feedback that local governments are making," he said. "Not only the promoters, but what the local governments are making.

"This is what you need to rely on, in my opinion, and I'm fully with that," he insisted. "I think that if riders stand up, who know nothing geopolitically about what's going on, but have an audience that listens, I think that is something that creates media value. But I would have done the same as MotoGP management has done. You want to ride or drive, go. If you don't want to, don't go.

"It's as simple as that," he added, "everybody can take their personal decisions on that, and I respect that. Of course, you've got to be wary of what's happening in the next few days, a few weeks, and Stefano has his finger on the pulse to monitor that. If things were to get more dangerous and we would get that feedback, then he's going to be the first one, together with Mohammed, to protect the people that were meant to travel. So that's why I'm following their guidance.

"From what I'm hearing internally, it hasn't been raised. It hasn't been a topic. But if someone feels they don't feel comfortable, he or she doesn't feel comfortable travelling, then it's something that I would always respect. And maybe that's an opportunity to give somebody else a chance. It wouldn't change anything for the relationship. I've always respected that some people didn't want to go to certain Grands Prix, and that's how I see it at the moment."

"I think our organisation is quite robust," added Fred Vasseur. "I have full trust in the FIA and FOM and Stefano, let's see what we will do.

"Concerning the point about whether we had questions internally, honestly, we are in the middle of nine races in 11 weeks," he continued. "Everybody is focused on the triple-header, and perhaps the topic will come to the table a bit later, but it's not the case today. In any case, we will respect the decision of the team member. If someone feels something and doesn't want to come, we will respect the decision. But so far, we have huge trust in our system, our organisation, and we will see in the coming weeks."

Fact is, the situation can change at any moment, and without wishing to sound geopolitically naive, both sides are somewhat unpredictable.

Donald Trump is still clearly reeling from the midterms, while Iran may well see the 'publicity appeal' of such high-profile sporting events especially as the UAE is host to numerous U.S. bases.

Let's all hope that wherever F1 and the FIA are getting their information from is totally reliable.