No two ways about it. Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix 2025 is now about more than racing. For me, it’s just got very personal.
The race is still scheduled for November 30 at Lusail. But after this week’s attacks in Doha, fans are thinking twice about safety, travel, and whether the show should go on.
My dad and I are booked to fly to Qatar. His 70th birthday is over that weekend. Flights locked in. A celebration to mark a special event for someone who, at the age of 70, is still working full-time and deserves a celebration. The hotel’s sorted (finally—that’s a different article). It’s just the race tickets left to secure, but this week has changed the mood in our house. Those Israeli strikes in Doha were not even 10km away from where we are booked to stay.
Explosions Bring the Real World to F1’s Door
The explosions hit the Qatari capital earlier this week.
Not a distant headline.
A short drive from our hotel. Too close for comfort.
Israeli forces targeted senior Hamas figures in Doha, a major international incident that has been condemned worldwide. Now everyone is looking at F1’s November trip to Lusail and asking the same question we are. Are you still going?
A Circuit in the Spotlight
The Lusail circuit sits just outside the city.
Floodlights, brand-new stands, all the Liberty Media polish.
It’s become a late-season staple since its introduction to the F1 calendar after the issues in the first year. Big money, big government. The kind of place F1 loves to be seen.
Last year it was all about celebrating the end of the season, desert fireworks, and endless hospitality. This year, it’s all risk assessments, travel insurance, and WhatsApp threads as tensions rise and the sport tries to find a balance.
Official Line vs. Fan Reality
So what is the latest official word from F1?
Well, Stefano Domenicali says it’s business as usual in interviews with the press.
He calls the events “tragic, very difficult,” and says the sport is monitoring the situation closely.
As of right now, the race is still on the calendar. No changes, no warnings, no special guidance.
But if you’ve followed F1 through Saudi 2022 or Bahrain 2011, you know what it’s like.
Missiles near the paddock. Protests in the streets. Still, the cars hit the track and the show went on.
Teams hold private security briefings, review evacuation plans, and keep smiling for the cameras. It’s not easier for them; it’s just a different call compared to the fans who get left with the real-life decisions and without the benefit of up-to-date information.
What This Means for Us and Every Fan
And this is where it lands for us.
I can’t just book the race tickets and hope for the best. It goes against everything I stand for.
My dad is up for anything; those who know him will tell you this, but I can see the worry creeping in.
Our disabled children aren’t coming; they’re safe at home, but any risk to me is a risk to them. It plays a part in the decision.
If something goes wrong, that’s a cost no headline or highlight reel can justify. It’s life-changing.
So what do we do?
Well, the options are limited. We cancel now and lose the flight money that’s over £1,000, as it’s still classed as safe to travel. Try to reroute to Las Vegas the week before. Safer, but not what we’d planned for his birthday, and honestly, losing the money for the flights would make that a non-starter for us. This is a trip we’ve been saving all year for.
Wait it out and hope the situation settles, knowing the decision might get made for us anyway? It’s one option, but a risk.
I know we’re not the only ones.
I’ve spoken to other fans, and it’s the same mix. Excitement and fear, bucket-list plans suddenly on hold. I’ve read the comments online.
Nobody at Liberty or the FIA will ever see that side of it.
To them, it’s just a date on the calendar. A business decision to be made.
For us, I honestly don’t know. Truth be told, if I had the chance, I’d most likely go back to Las Vegas the week before and celebrate his special occasion in style if I could. Instead, I’ll wait before I book our race tickets, and will keep the news close to hand, because this one is a little personal and close to home.
Where F1 Stands Now
So yes, the Qatar Grand Prix 2025 is still set for November 30.
Freight is booked, teams are prepping, and tickets are for sale.
But everyone is watching.
For fans, the biggest decision isn’t trackside. It isn’t where to sit. It’s whether you even get on the plane.
It’s whether you can live with the risk.
As for us…. Honestly, at the time of writing, I just don’t know if it is worth the risk.
Always check the latest government travel advice and official F1 updates before booking or travelling.
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