The 2026 Formula One calendar could see its concluding rounds moved back to Europe if the planned Grand Prix events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are forced to be relocated because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, F1 chief Stefano Domenico confirmed on Wednesday. The governing body has already been forced to cancel the early‑season races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and over the weekend it announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will be re‑hosted by Malaysia in October. That change has raised fresh concerns about the viability of the final two events, slated for November 27‑29 in Qatar and December 4‑6 in Abu Dhabi.
During a press briefing, Domenico said he remains optimistic that the schedule will stay as it is now, but he also warned that a final decision will not be taken until after the mid‑September deadline, when the situation in the region can be assessed more clearly. "We are still in contact with the other championships," he told reporters.
"For example, the World Endurance Championship has already announced that it will not finish the year in the Middle East and will remain in Europe." He explained that the organisation will use the maximum amount of time allowed to monitor developments, and that any decision about moving the races will be made no earlier than mid‑September. "At present the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are confirmed," Domenico added, "but if the security picture does not improve by the deadline, we will have to relocate the finale to Europe." The logistical and regulatory challenges linked to "Brexit‑related documentation" mean that Europe is the only realistic alternative venue for the two final races, although several circuits are being considered.
Domenico stressed that he cannot promise a specific track yet, but he confirmed that Europe is the fallback option: "If we cannot race in the Middle East, the season will finish in Europe because we have no other viable locations at this stage." Among the possible replacement venues, Italy's historic Imola circuit has been mentioned as a front‑runner, but the F1 president clarified that it is only one of several options and has not been officially selected. It is conceivable that more than one European circuit could be used to keep the calendar as close as possible to the originally intended 24‑race schedule.
At present the calendar has been trimmed to 23 events after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped. Racing in Europe at the end of November or early December does raise concerns about cooler weather, yet Domenico pointed out that the temperatures expected for a European finale would actually be milder than those anticipated for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place earlier in November.
He noted that climate variability makes precise weather forecasts difficult, and that the broader issue of climate change adds an extra layer of uncertainty. The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was briefly explored, but officials decided against it to avoid diluting the prestige of the existing event and to prevent a clash with the National Football League, which dominates the American sports calendar during that period. "We do not want to undervalue a jewel that is still growing," Domenico said, emphasizing the need to protect the brand’s image in the United States.
Any reshuffling of the calendar could have a tangible impact on the championship battle. Currently, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' standings by 50 points over Ferrari veteran Lewis Hamilton, with twelve rounds still to run.
A shift in venue or date could affect team strategies, car development timelines, and even the psychological momentum of the title contenders. The season will resume after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21‑23, with all sessions broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with no contract required and the ability to cancel at any time. The situation will continue to be monitored closely, and further updates will be provided as the September deadline approaches.