Gulf 12H Canceled Amid Current Middle East Situation

Driving Force Events has canceled the 2025 Gulf 12 Hours endurance race, originally scheduled for January 8-10 at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit, citing elevated freight costs and unpredictable logistics amid Middle Eastern tensions. The promoter announced a one-year "pause" to preserve the event's quality and international character after 15 consecutive editions. The race is expected to return in winter 2027-28.

The cancellation reflects broader disruptions to motorsport operations in the region, with shipping expenses remaining several times above normal levels and no clear timeline for standard operations to resume. Organizers stated that compressed planning windows made proceeding impossible without compromising event standards. Driving Force Events is preparing an unspecified new motorsport project while awaiting decisions on other regional events, including FIA World Endurance Championship races in Qatar and Bahrain and the relocated Asian Le Mans Series.