Williams have released a statement on Carlos Sainz's behalf, just hours after his comments about the Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The 2026 Formula 1 schedule has been seriously disrupted by the ongoing war involving the United States and Iran in the Middle East. The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was cancelled, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed and ultimately hosted in Malaysia.

The season is set to finish with two races in the Middle East. The Qatar Grand Prix takes place on November 29, with the season ending in Abu Dhabi a week later.

Despite the conflict in the Middle East still ongoing and showing no signs of stopping, FIA chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem is adamant that both races will go ahead and that the season will conclude as scheduled in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

"Yeah, fine," he said when asked whether the two countries were 'fine' to host races at present, per The Race. He added: "One thing I would say: I have my children there [in the UAE]. You think I would leave them there and I'm here now with you [if it was dangerous]?

"You have to be sensible in this. Saying: 'Are we going to have an issue?' is one thing. But what you read in the media is actually different than what we have there.

“What we read and see on TV, we say, 'Where is it?' We don't have that, really. Otherwise why would I stay there? Why would I leave my family there?

"Does this say that there is nothing that is going to happen? I can't predict this. I can only tell you today that there is nothing and the two races are going to happen."

Carlos Sainz Shares Doubt on Races Going Ahead

Sainz does not share the same confidence as Ben Sulayem in regard to the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi going ahead. Speaking during Thursday's press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Sainz said, per Crash.net:

"They seem very convinced that it's going to go ahead. I think on my personal side, and not speaking as a GPDA, it's very difficult to be convinced right now because there's still plenty of things happening in the Middle East.

"And also there is obviously an election that is going to happen in the US and things that are going to happen in the political side of the world that could affect the next month and a half very suddenly. So I think it's relatively premature to be so convinced.

He added: "As it stands, we would go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi and if the FIA and Formula 1 decide that's still safe and a good scenario, I think we as drivers have to go with whatever they say.

"It's not like we have as much political information, as much inside information as they have, for sure. So, we need to follow their lead and trust in their decision-making. But only as it stands, I think the world can change a lot in the next month, one month and a half, and we need to stay diligent and reactive to whatever happens, and not just go because we want to go right now."

A few hours later, Sainz clarified his comments in a statement released by Williams on his behalf. He said:

"Following some reporting of my comments in the press conference earlier today about ending the season in the Middle East, I want to be clear that I know the FIA and Formula 1 will put safety first and completely trust them to make the right decision. We look forward to racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."

The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas takes place this weekend. Sainz is currently 18th in the world championship standings, having picked up just seven points so far this season.