Lewis Hamilton hopes Formula One can complete its season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as scheduled despite the continuing conflict in the Middle East, saying he trusts F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to make the right call on safety.
The seven-time world champion, speaking Wednesday ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, said he would personally like to return to the region for the final two races of the season.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for Nov. 29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 6. A contingency plan involving a possible race at Imola in Italy has been put in place if the events cannot be held as planned.
The season has already been disrupted by the conflict. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were canceled earlier this year after the outbreak of war involving Israel, the United States and Iran.
"I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said.
"From what I have read, things seem OK out there, but I don't have all the information, and I don't know what the risk levels are.
"I trust Stefano to make the right decision for the sport. And I do hope we get to go there."
Hamilton's comments came as uncertainty remains over whether F1 will travel to the Gulf for the final two rounds. The situation in the region remains unpredictable, while concerns about security have been raised within the traveling F1 community.
F1 has not set a firm deadline for a final decision, although the championship is expected to maintain at least one of the two scheduled Middle Eastern races if circumstances allow.
The current calendar lists Qatar and Abu Dhabi as the final two rounds of the 2026 season.
Hamilton, who is racing for Ferrari, is in Baku this weekend for the 15th round of the championship. Azerbaijan shares a border with Iran, adding another layer of regional significance to the discussion. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held Saturday over 51 laps of the 6.003-kilometer Baku City Circuit.
Hamilton wants longer races
Hamilton also criticized F1's decision to shorten Grand Prix distances next season, arguing that modern cars are not physically demanding enough to justify reducing the number of laps.
The F1 Commission agreed this week to cut the standard race distance from 305 kilometers to 290 kilometers in 2027, a reduction of roughly two or three laps depending on the circuit. The change is linked to adjustments to the new power-unit regulations and fuel-flow requirements.
The power-unit balance is scheduled to shift from 53% internal-combustion and 47% electrical power in 2026 to 58-42 in favor of the combustion engine in 2027, before moving to 60-40 in 2028.
The increased fuel flow associated with the changes would require more fuel to complete the same distance, while teams have sought to avoid enlarging fuel tanks and taking on additional costs. The race-distance reduction is intended to address that issue.
Hamilton, however, believes the sport should be moving in the opposite direction.
"I think the races should be longer because they are physically easier than ever before," he said.
"So, I don't think shortening makes much sense."
He pointed to the demands placed on drivers at some of the sport's hottest races, arguing that Formula One should test competitors closer to their physical and mental limits.
"This is supposed to be a sport that's the most physically and mentally demanding," Hamilton said. "But there are some that are just so hot that ultimately you are on the edge."
"That's where you want to see athletes, right? Just on the edge."
Hamilton said he had experienced races where he wished there were more laps rather than fewer.
"For me, there's been many races where I wish we had more laps, so it's the opposite that I would be asking for, which is longer races, to be honest."
Mercedes driver George Russell was less concerned about the change, suggesting that losing a few laps would not have a major impact. McLaren's Lando Norris also described the reduction as a "good compromise."
Norris said the sport should seek to make races more dependent on driving rather than energy management, arguing that drivers should have a greater role in determining the outcome.
Hamilton questions Monaco sprint
Hamilton also questioned F1's decision to introduce a sprint weekend at Monaco next season.
The principality will host its first sprint event in 2027, meaning the weekend will feature an additional qualifying session. Hamilton welcomed the extra qualifying session but argued that the traditional Monaco race requires a different format because overtaking is notoriously difficult around the narrow street circuit.
"It makes no sense to me," Hamilton said. "I have always said Monaco needs to be different. I don't think it should be the same race formula as everywhere else."
Hamilton acknowledged that sprint racing has brought a new element to the championship but said it should not be used as the solution for every circuit.
"We have included sprint races, and I think that has brought something new to the sport," he said. "But we need to come up with something new for somewhere like that."
"Monaco is a beautiful place, a beautiful country, and an incredible circuit to drive, but the races are as dull as it gets. Sprint races are not the answer."
The 2027 calendar is set to feature 24 Grands Prix and 10 sprint events, with Monaco among the venues receiving a sprint weekend.