The 2026 Formula One calendar could finish on European soil if the final two events slated for Qatar and Abu Dhabi are forced to move because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, F1 chief Stefano Domenico confirmed on Wednesday. The sport’s leadership has already been compelled to cancel the April rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and over the weekend they announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will be shifted to Malaysia in October. That change has raised fresh concerns about the feasibility of keeping the last two scheduled races – the Qatar Grand Prix (set for 27‑29 November) and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (4‑6 December) – at their originally intended venues. In a press briefing, Domenico said he remains optimistic that the calendar will stay as announced, but he added that the organization will wait until its mid‑September deadline before making any definitive decision.
"We are in contact with all the other series," 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 governing body will use the maximum amount of time available to monitor the security situation and will decide no earlier than the middle of September. "At this stage the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are confirmed, but if the circumstances do not become clearer by then, we will have to act accordingly," Domenico said.
The 2026 schedule, which originally featured 24 rounds, has already been trimmed to 23 after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped. If the two Gulf events cannot go ahead, Europe will become the only realistic alternative because of the "Brexit‑related documentation" hurdles that make other continents harder to reach on short notice. Domenico noted that several European circuits are under consideration, but he stopped short of naming a definitive replacement. One venue that has attracted speculation is Italy’s historic Imola circuit.
The former host of the San Marino Grand Prix could be a candidate, but Domenico described it as "an option, not a defined choice" at this point. It is conceivable that Imola, perhaps paired with another European track, could step in to preserve as much of the original 24‑race plan as possible. The priority for the FIA and the commercial rights holders is to keep the championship as close to its intended length while ensuring the safety of teams, personnel, and fans.
Racing in Europe at the end of November or early December does raise concerns about cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain. However, Domenico pointed out that the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for early November, is expected to be hotter than many European venues at the same time of year.
"Statistically, Europe is actually milder than Las Vegas during that period," he said, noting that weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was briefly examined, but officials decided against it to avoid diluting the prestige of the inaugural event and to prevent a clash with the NFL season, which dominates the American sports calendar in early November.
"We don’t want to undermine a jewel that is still growing," Domenico explained. "The NFL draws massive viewership, and we need to be mindful of competing for audience attention in the United States." Should the calendar be reshuffled, the impact on the championship battle could be significant.
At the time of the statement, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was leading the drivers’ standings by 50 points over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with twelve races still to run. A shift in venue or date could alter team strategies, tyre allocations, and even the psychological momentum of the title fight. The season will resume after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from 21 to 23 August, all sessions being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract, and they can cancel at any time.
Further updates on the potential relocation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds will be provided as the September deadline approaches, ensuring that teams, sponsors, and supporters have ample notice of any changes to the final stages of the 2026 Formula One campaign.