F1 reportedly asks teams to keep safety criticism private before Qatar and Abu Dhabi

Formula 1 and the FIA have reportedly written to teams asking them to avoid publicly criticising the safety situation ahead of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix, according to Austria's Osterreich newspaper. The letter reportedly calls for a united front and aims to prevent public discussion of safety issues during the race weekends.

Audi racing director Allan McNish said the team is still preparing to travel to both races, describing the situation as "status quo" but also a "moving target". The wider sporting context includes reports that Qatar will no longer host the 2028 Nations Championship finals and that a planned Qatar Airways title sponsorship has fallen through.

The Qatar round of MotoGP is also reported to be contentious, with Yamaha having withdrawn, while Qatar hosts the World Shooting Championships near the Lusail circuit.