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FIA says it will focus on ‘safety and wellbeing’ in decisions on F1 races in the Middle East

By The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — The president of Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, says it will prioritize “safety and wellbeing” as it decides what to do about upcoming races in the Middle East amid increasingly widespread conflict in the region.

F1 is scheduled to race next month in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which have both been hit by attacks in recent days following joint strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel.

The FIA statement also mentioned the World Endurance Championship, a leading sportscar series that opens its season in Qatar at the end of this month.

“We are in close contact with our member clubs, championship promoters, teams and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted on Instagram on Monday.

“Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship. Our organization is built on unity and shared purpose. That unity matters now more than ever.”

Ben Sulayem, who is from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, said “we are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted,” adding that the FIA hopes for “calm, safety and a swift return to stability.”

Following preseason testing in Bahrain last month, F1 teams and staff are heading to Melbourne for this week’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, despite disruptions to travel.

F1 races in China and Japan later this month before the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is scheduled for April 12, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix one week later.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Why Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between US and Iran

By The Associated Press
ISLAMABAD (AP) — It was initially seen as an unexpected mediator, but this week Pakistan has established itself as a key player in bringing Iran and the United States to the negotiating table. Now, it is awaiting representatives from both countries to meet in Islamabad, as the world watches to see whether the talks could lead toward an end to the war. Since Washington and Tehran agreed to an initial 14-day ceasefire on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the powerful army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have been sharing messages about conversations with world leaders, highlighting their role as mediators. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Munir as “my favorite field marshal” since last year, when he helped mediate a ceasefire between Pakistan and India. Islamabad isn't often called on to act as an intermediary in high-stakes diplomacy, but it's stepped into the role this time for a number of reasons, both because it has relatively good ties with both Washington and Tehran and because it has a lot at stake in seeing the war resolved. Pakistani government officials have said that their public peace effort follows weeks of quiet diplomacy, though they have provided few details. The talks are expected to take place in Islamabad on Saturday following the arrival of both delegations. Pakistan ramped up security across the city with additional troops and police.
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