QATAR CANCELS MAJOR SPORTING EVENT AMID THE ONGOING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

 

Photo: Race Pictures

Qatar has withdrawn from hosting the rugby Nations Championship finals in 2028 and 2032. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the country is pulling out of the agreement, which was reportedly worth tens of millions. The decision comes as major questions are also being raised over the upcoming Formula 1 and MotoGP Grands Prix in Qatar.

After months of negotiations, the parties involved have decided to terminate the agreement. Qatar was set to host the Nations Championship finals in both 2028 and 2032, an international rugby tournament involving, among others, the Six Nations countries. Qatar Airways was also due to serve as title sponsor for four editions.

The combined value of the hosting and sponsorship rights for each tournament in Qatar was expected to be around £80 million British pounds according to The Guardian. Organizers expect to make up for the lost revenue through new agreements. France and Spain have already expressed interest in hosting the 2028 finals, with the Stade de France in Paris currently seen as the most likely venue.

Qatar pulls out of sporting event because of war in the Middle East

The agreement with Qatar was broadly finalized last year, but US attacks on Iran in March and the subsequent escalation in the Middle East complicated the situation. The Qatari government decided not to activate the contract for the first matches in July. Initially, there was still hope that the partnership could get underway later this year.

That prospect has now been abandoned due to the ongoing threat of further attacks. The planned partnership with Qatar Airways is also off.

The decision has no direct impact on Formula 1 or MotoGP, but it shows that the war is already having major financial and organizational consequences for sporting events in Qatar and in the region. The AFC Asian Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia later this year, has also been postponed by a year.

Yamaha also announced last week that it would not travel to Qatar because of the situation in the region. The Japanese manufacturer is sticking to its company-wide travel restrictions for the Middle East, despite assurances from the organizers.

Uncertainty over the Qatar Grand Prix continues - Photo: RacePictures

MotoGP was disappointed with the decision and warned Yamaha of possible contractual and sporting consequences. After consulting with the Qatari authorities, the Lusail International Circuit and independent security advisers, the organization stressed that it saw no reason to cancel the race. It was also reported that the majority of MotoGP riders would prefer not to travel to Qatar because of the war. The riders were also said to have requested written security guarantees, including on evacuation plans and insurance.

Formula 1 also awaits clarity on Qatar

The news from Qatar comes at a sensitive time for Formula 1. The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29, followed by the season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Both races remain officially on the calendar despite concerns about security. This website previously reported that Formula One Management would reassess whether the races could go ahead after the US midterm elections on November 3. A possible change to the calendar is being considered behind the scenes.

Imola is being considered as a potential alternative, and several Formula 1 teams have already booked hotel rooms in the Italian region. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in October that he saw no reason to cancel the Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. He stressed that, based on the information available, the safety of drivers, staff and officials was not at risk.

Security concerns have increased since then. On Tuesday, the Iranian news agency Fars published a list of potential targets for retaliatory action should the United States and Israel launch further attacks on Iran. The list also includes hotels used by Formula 1 and MotoGP staff during race weekends.

For now, both championships are sticking to their scheduled races in Qatar. The country’s decision to pull out of a major international sporting event for the coming years underscores the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the conflict. It remains unclear whether this will also affect the Formula 1 race scheduled for late November.

- Shanna Lutgert

PIERRE GASLY COMMITTED TO ALPINE FUTURE WITH NEW CONTRACT THROUGH 2028

Pierre Gasly has secured his Formula 1 future with Alpine, signing a new long-term contract that will keep him with the French manufacturer until the end of the 2028 season. The announcement came during the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza and marks a major step in Alpine’s bid to rebuild as the sport heads into its next regulatory era.

The 29-year-old joined Alpine ahead of the 2023 season after a long spell with the Red Bull family and has since emerged as a central figure in the team’s long-term project. In just over two seasons, Gasly has scored two podium finishes – at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix and the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix – and played a vital role in helping the team secure sixth place in the constructors’ standings last year.

Gasly’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of 2026, but both sides moved quickly to lock in an extension by two more years, underlining Alpine’s faith in his ability to lead them into the new regulations beginning in 2026.

Gasly admitted that the chance to continue racing with a French team was a source of pride and one of the driving factors in his decision to stay.

“I’m thrilled to commit my long-term future to Alpine,” Gasly said in a statement released by Alpine. “As a Frenchman, driving for a French car company makes me feel very proud.

“Since I joined in 2023, I have always felt this was the right place to be for the future. Flavio’s support and belief in me, Francois’ commitment to the Formula 1 project, as well as the people we have in Enstone made this a natural decision.

“I want to be here in years to come and deliver on our joint objective: to win races and world championships. We’re all in this together and I look forward to continuing this special story.”

Gasly’s growing influence in the paddock has been noted by rivals and pundits alike, with his consistency and leadership becoming increasingly evident during Alpine’s turbulent seasons.

Alpine executive advisior Flavio Briatore, who returned to Alpine earlier this year in a high-profile comeback, hailed the announcement as a key step in the team’s rebuilding effort.

“Since I returned to the team, I have always stated how important it is to build and grow the competitiveness of Alpine,” Briatore said. “We’re well prepared for the new era of Formula 1 beginning in 2026, and now we have our lead driver confirmed to take us into the future.

“Pierre has been an immense asset during this challenging period. I have been very impressed with his attitude, dedication and talent, and we look forward to continuing this project together for a long time.”

Alpine looks ahead to 2026

Alpine’s renewed commitment to Gasly also reflects wider structural changes within the team. Backed by the Renault Group and its new CEO Francois Provost, the squad has doubled down on its ambition to return to the front of the grid.

The sweeping technical regulations coming in 2026 – with new power unit rules and a greater emphasis on sustainable fuels – represent a reset moment for Formula 1, and Alpine wants Gasly as its spearhead for the new era.

The team is still yet to confirm Gasly’s teammate for 2026 and beyond. Rookie Franco Colapinto is currently in the second seat, though his long-term future with Alpine has not been confirmed.

For Gasly, though, the focus is clear: he is tied to Alpine through the next four years, giving both driver and team the stability to grow together. As one of only a handful of French drivers in Formula 1 history to have stood on the podium for a French manufacturer, his deal represents both continuity and national pride.

“Driving for Alpine isn’t just about competing in Formula 1 – it’s about being part of a French project with a rich history and big ambitions for the future,” Gasly said. “That’s something I want to build on for the years ahead.”

With Gasly now locked in until 2028, Alpine has its leader in place. The challenge will be delivering him a car worthy of fighting at the front when the sport’s new era begins.

- John Smith

PRESIDENTS CUP TO RETURN TO MELBOURNE'S SANDBELT IN 2028

 

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The Presidents Cup, the biennial team event which pitches the United States against the rest of the world barring Europe, will return to Melbourne for a fourth time in 2028.

The United States team, who have won all but two of the 14 editions of the event, will take on the Internationals at Kingston Heath Golf Club in the Melbourne Sandbelt.

All three previous Presidents Cups in Australia have been at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club some seven kilometres down the road from Kingston Heath in the southeast of the city.

"The Sandbelt region is home to some of the game's most iconic venues, and Kingston Heath has proven to be a world-class host for a number of golf's biggest tournaments," the PGA Tour's Matt Rapp said in a statement.

Next year's Presidents Cup will take place at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada, while the U.S. will host the 2026 edition at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

Under an agreement with the local tourist board, Melbourne will also host the event in 2040.

- Reuters