Formula 1 chiefs are pressing ahead with plans to stage the final two rounds of 2026 in the Middle East after missing a deadline to move one of the season’s final races to Italy.
F1 had to cancel races scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the conflict in the Middle East, which has continued throughout the year to cast doubt on the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
A contingency plan had been arranged for Imola to host a season-ending race in the first week of December, but officials at the Italian circuit were informed on Tuesday that it would not be needed, confirming F1’s intention to go ahead with the final two rounds as planned.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27-29, while the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will follow from December 4-6. The races complete a triple-header that begins with the Las Vegas Grand Prix from November 20-22.
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 worsened.
The Italian has also insisted that the safety of everyone involved in F1 remains his priority and it is understood that the sport’s governing body will not hesitate to cancel races if the situation changes over the coming weeks.
Imola had been on standby to host the final race of the 2026 season
The sport’s teams and drivers have repeatedly expressed confidence in F1’s judgment of the situation and there has been no suggestion that any of the 11 teams are against finishing the season as planned.
The season is set to fall just one short of its original 24-race schedule, with the Bahrain Grand Prix being rescheduled and hosted by Malaysia in October.
The Lusail International Circuit, which hosts the Qatar Grand Prix, hosted a round of the MotoGP season from November 6-8.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mercedes celebrate on the podium after sealing their ninth Constructors’ Championship title
There had been safety concerns leading up to the event, which led to Japanese constructor Yamaha not taking part, but it went off without incident.
Kimi Antonelli sealed the F1 drivers’ title in Mexico City before his Mercedes team wrapped up the constructors’ title a week later in Brazil.
Formula 1 next hits The Strip for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 from November 20-22. Stream Sky Sports with NOW
