Formula 1 to finish 2026 season in Middle East as Imola deadline passes

Formula 1 has told Imola that the Italian circuit will not be needed as a back-up for the final two races of the 2026 season, confirming plans to hold the Qatar Grand Prix on 27-29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4-6 December.

The decision follows a deadline passing for Imola to prepare for a potential grand prix on the Abu Dhabi dates if the two Middle Eastern races could not go ahead.

F1 said that if the situation in the Middle East deteriorates it is still prepared to cancel the two races.

Earlier in the season, races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, both scheduled for April, were cancelled and delayed respectively following the outbreak of the United States and Israel's war with Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually held at Malaysia's Sepang circuit in October.

The season is set to fall one race short of its original 24-race schedule. Kimi Antonelli sealed the F1 drivers' title in Mexico City before his Mercedes team closed out the constructors' title a week later in Brazil.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted on social media insisting that the sport's governing body is fully prepared for the final two rounds of the season. Formula 1 next hits The Strip for the Las Vegas Grand Prix from 20-22 November.

The Qatar Grand Prix completes a triple-header that starts with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Lusail International Circuit, which hosts the Qatar Grand Prix, staged a round of the MotoGP season from 6-8 November.

There had been security concerns ahead of the event, which led to Japanese constructor Yamaha opting not to attend, but it passed without incident.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has maintained throughout the season that the final races would be held at their scheduled venues unless the situation in the Middle East deteriorated.

The Italian has also insisted the safety of everyone involved in F1 remains his priority, and it is understood the sport's bosses wouldn't hesitate to cancel the races should the situation change over the coming weeks.

The sport's teams and drivers have repeatedly expressed trust in F1's judgement on the situation, and there has been no suggestion that any of the 11 squads are against completing the season as planned.

An F1 spokesperson said the situation in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates has not negatively developed in recent months.

Travel advice from governments still allows travel, insurance is valid, events are taking place and business has returned to a normal level in both countries, it said, adding that the teams are all supportive of concluding the season as planned.

Despite the decision, a number of senior figures in F1 have expressed disquiet to BBC Sport about the idea of going to the Middle East for the races, as both are close to areas in the Straight of Hormuz where missile strikes are still taking place.

And Saudi Arabia continues to be the target of attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Several events in Saudi Arabia, which borders Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks following those attacks.

However, there is recognition that F1 faces a difficult decision.

Final 2026 Formula 1 race schedule

2026 title outcomes

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Sources

• BBC Sport

• Sky Sports

• Photo: Papafox, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay)