Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of Formula 1, has confirmed that the 2026 championship could finish on European soil should the final two events slated for Qatar and Abu Dhabi become untenable because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The possibility of relocating the season‑ending races emerges after the sport’s leadership was forced earlier this year to cancel the April rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Over the weekend the organizers announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for October, will now be staged in Malaysia. The loss of Bahrain as an October venue has intensified uncertainty around the last two fixtures on the calendar – the Qatar Grand Prix set for 27‑29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix slated for 4‑6 December. Domenicali told reporters on Wednesday that he remains optimistic the schedule will stay intact, but he also stressed that Formula 1 will wait until the mid‑September deadline to make a definitive decision based on how the geopolitical situation evolves.
"Regarding the close of the season, we are in contact with the other series," Domenicali said. "For instance, the World Endurance Championship has already announced that it will not finish the year in the Middle East and will remain in Europe.
Our approach is to give ourselves the maximum amount of time to assess the situation and then decide at the appropriate moment – not before the middle of September. At present the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are confirmed, but if clarity does not emerge by that point we will have to act accordingly." Domenicali explained that logistical and regulatory hurdles linked to "Brexit‑related documentation" make Europe the only realistic alternative for the finale, though several European circuits could potentially step in.
"If the Middle‑East events become impossible, the season will end in Europe because we have no other viable locations," he added. "There are a few options on the table, but I won’t make any promises until the situation is clearer." Among the venues being whispered about, Italy’s historic Imola circuit has surfaced as a leading candidate.
However, Domenicali cautioned that Imola is merely "an option, not a defined replacement" at this stage. It is conceivable that Imola, perhaps alongside another European track, could host the two displaced rounds, allowing Formula 1 to retain as much of the originally planned 24‑race calendar as possible. As it stands, the schedule has already been trimmed to 23 races after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped.
Racing in Europe in late November or early December does raise concerns about colder weather, but Domenicali pointed out that the temperatures expected for a European finale would actually be milder than those forecast for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place earlier in November. He noted that while climate change introduces uncertainty into weather patterns, historical data suggests Europe will be comparatively temperate at that time of year. The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was also discussed but ultimately set aside.
Domenicali warned that duplicating the event could diminish its prestige and force Formula 1 into direct competition with the NFL, which dominates the American sports calendar during that period. "We don’t want to devalue a jewel that is still growing," he said. "The NFL draws massive viewership, and we need to avoid a clash that could split the audience." Any reshuffling of the calendar could have ripple effects on the championship battle. At present, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli holds a 50‑point lead over Ferrari’s veteran Lewis Hamilton, with twelve races still to run.
A shift to European venues might alter team strategies, particularly concerning tyre selections and car setups that differ from the desert conditions of the Middle East. The 2026 season will resume after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from 21‑23 August, all sessions broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Fans can also stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the freedom to cancel at any time. In summary, while the FIA and Formula 1 management hope to keep the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races on the timetable, they are prepared to relocate the finale to Europe should security or logistical concerns persist.
Options such as Imola remain under consideration, but final decisions will not be made until after the mid‑September review point. The outcome will shape not only the logistical map of the sport but also potentially influence the title fight as drivers adapt to new circuits and weather conditions in the closing months of the season.