--- title: "WEC Pulls the Plug on Qatar Race, F1 Likely to Follow" date: "2026-03-03" modified: "2026-03-03" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/wec-pulls-the-plug-on-qatar-race-f1-likely-to-follow" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" - "WEC" --- # WEC Pulls the Plug on Qatar Race, F1 Likely to Follow ![DOHA, QATAR - APRIL 02: Pitlane marshal with red flag before start the first free practice at Losail Circuit on April 02, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images)]() *\Steve Wobser via Getty\* Just yesterday, I [wrote about the FIA monitoring the situation in the Middle East,]() given that several major races are coming up in the area: the [WEC]() 1,812km of Qatar on March 26, and the [Formula 1]() Grand Prix of Bahrain two weeks later, followed by the F1 Saudi Arabian GP the weekend after. The former won't be happening, the FIA confirmed today. With these races so close together, I believe it's fair to expect an imminent announcement about the other two. "In light of the current and evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East. With the safety and security of competitors, personnel and fans of the utmost importance, the decision has been taken to delay the event that had been due to take place on 26-28 March. Following further discussions with our colleagues at Lusail International Circuit, a new date for the Qatar 1812km during the second half of the campaign will be finalised and communicated in due course," the FIA's statement read. This effectively makes the 6 Hours of Imola the first race of the year, which will take place April 17-19. Should F1 follow suit, as it likely will, there wouldn't be any racing in April, and the circus would race in China in the middle of March, and skip to Miami at the beginning of May. Unlike WEC's Qatar race, it would be extremely unlikely to reschedule the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races at some point in the year, as the season already runs through the first week of December. The only option would be to do away with the mandatory summer break, but the extreme temperatures in the Middle East at that time of year would likely make that option unfeasible. It's worth mentioning that MotoGP is also scheduled to race in Qatar early April, so that will surely get scrapped too, though [MotoGP]() isn't sanctioned by the FIA. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()