The 2026 Formula 1 calendar could see its concluding events moved to Europe if the planned Grand Prixs in Qatar and Abu Dhabi prove unfeasible because of the ongoing Middle‑East conflict, F1 chief Stefano Domenico confirmed on Wednesday. The governing body has already been forced to cancel the April rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and over the weekend it announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix will be rescheduled for October in Malaysia. That relocation raises fresh doubts about whether the season‑ending races – originally slated for Qatar from 27 to 29 November and for Abu Dhabi from 4 to 6 December – can still be held at their intended venues. During a press briefing, Domenico said he remains optimistic that the calendar will stay as published, but stressed that a final decision will not be taken until after the mid‑September deadline, when the situation in the region should be clearer.
"We are in contact with the other championships," he told reporters. "For example, the World Endurance Championship has already announced 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 definitive move will be made no earlier than mid‑September. "At present the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are confirmed," he added, "but if the security picture does not improve before that date, we will have to relocate the finale to Europe." Domenico also highlighted a practical obstacle: the paperwork required after Brexit makes Europe the only realistic alternative for the two final events.
He said several European circuits are under consideration, but he stopped short of naming a specific replacement. "If we cannot race in the Middle East, the season will finish in Europe because other locations are not viable at this stage," he said.
One venue that has been mentioned in speculation is Italy's historic Imola circuit. Domenico described Imola as "an option, but not yet defined" as a potential stand‑in. It is possible that more than one track could be used to preserve as much of the original 24‑race schedule as possible. At present the calendar has been trimmed to 23 events after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped.
Racing in Europe in late November or early December does raise concerns about colder weather, but Domenico noted that temperatures in Las Vegas – where a second race had been briefly considered – would actually be lower during its November slot than many European venues at the same time of year. He said the team had explored the idea of a double‑header in Las Vegas but decided against it to avoid diminishing the prestige of the existing race and to steer clear of a direct clash with the NFL season, which dominates American sports viewership in that period.
"We don't want to undervalue a jewel that is still growing," he explained. "The NFL draws massive audiences in early December, and we need to avoid competing with that for attention." If the calendar does shift, the change could have ripple effects 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 reshuffle of venues, especially a move to cooler European tracks, might influence car performance, tyre strategies and even fan attendance, potentially altering the dynamics of the title chase.
The season will resume after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from 21 to 23 August, all sessions broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW with no contract and the option to cancel at any time. The organisation continues to monitor the geopolitical situation closely, promising to keep teams, sponsors and supporters informed as the September deadline approaches.