The 2026 Formula 1 calendar could see its concluding rounds moved back to Europe should the planned Grand Prix events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi become untenable because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, F1 chief Stefano Domenico confirmed during a press briefing. Earlier this year the sport’s leadership was forced to scrap the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races that were slated for April. In a recent development, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been reassigned to Malaysia, with the Malaysian event now set for October. This reshuffling has raised fresh concerns about the feasibility of the final two Middle‑East fixtures – the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 27‑29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for 4‑6 December – remaining at their originally intended venues.
Domenico told reporters on Wednesday that, while the organization remains optimistic that the calendar will stay as announced, a definitive decision will not be taken until after the mid‑September deadline that the FIA has set for assessing the security situation. "We are still hopeful the schedule can stay as it is," he said, "but we will wait until the middle of September to see how the circumstances evolve before committing to any changes." He added that the sport is in regular contact with other major championships to coordinate end‑of‑year planning. "The World Endurance Championship, for example, has already announced it will finish the season in Europe rather than the Middle East," Domenico explained. "Our approach is to give ourselves the maximum amount of time to monitor the situation and then make a well‑timed decision, which will not be before mid‑September." At present, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are still officially confirmed.
However, Domenico warned that if the security picture does not improve sufficiently before the September cut‑off, the final two rounds will be relocated to European circuits. He noted that logistical and regulatory complications linked to post‑Brexit documentation make Europe the most viable alternative, though several venues are under consideration. "If we cannot race in the Middle East, the season will finish in Europe because other locations simply aren’t feasible at this stage," he said.
"There are a few possibilities on the table, but I don’t want to make promises or jump to conclusions – that’s the reality today. Even though I sincerely hope it won’t come to that, we must be prepared to conclude the championship on European soil if necessary." One of the circuits that has been mentioned as a potential stand‑in is Italy’s historic Imola track. While Domenico described Imola as "an option, but not yet defined," he left the door open for the possibility that Imola, perhaps alongside another European venue, could host one or both of the displaced races.
Formula 1 is eager to preserve as much of the originally planned 24‑round schedule as possible; the current provisional calendar now lists 23 events after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped. Moving the finale to Europe in late November or early December does raise concerns about colder weather.
Domenico, however, pointed out that the temperatures expected in Europe at that time are actually milder than those anticipated for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place earlier in November. "Statistically, Europe will be less chilly than Las Vegas during our race there," he said. "Weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable due to climate change, so we have to be flexible." The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was briefly explored but ultimately set aside. Domenico explained that duplicating the event could dilute its prestige and pit it against the massive popularity of the NFL, which dominates the American sports calendar in early November.
"We don’t want to undervalue a jewel that is still growing," he noted. "Competing directly with the NFL would be unwise, as many fans shift their attention to football during that period." Any alterations to the schedule could have ripple effects on the championship battle.
At the moment, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings by 50 points over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with twelve races still to run. A reshuffle of the final rounds could influence strategies, especially if the venues change from desert circuits to European tracks with different characteristics.
The season will resume after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from 21‑23 August, and all sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required, and cancel at any time.
In summary, while the 2026 Formula 1 calendar remains largely intact, the possibility of a European conclusion looms if the geopolitical situation in the Middle East does not improve. The sport’s leadership is monitoring the situation closely, consulting with other championships, and evaluating several European circuits—including Imola—as potential hosts for the season‑ending races. The final decision will be made after the mid‑September deadline, ensuring that the championship can be completed safely and competitively, regardless of where the last two Grand Prix are ultimately held.