The 2026 Formula One calendar could see its concluding events moved to European circuits if the planned Grand Prix in Qatar and the season‑ending race in Abu Dhabi prove impossible to stage because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, F1 chief Stefano Domenico confirmed on Wednesday. The possibility of a European finish emerged after the sport’s governing body was forced to scrap the April rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year. In a rapid response, the series announced that the Bahrain Grand Prix would be relocated to Malaysia and run in October, a decision that underscored the fragility of the original schedule. Bahrain’s inability to host its race in October has sparked fresh uncertainty about the two final rounds that were slated for late November and early December in Qatar (November 27‑29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4‑6).
Domenico told reporters that while the current calendar remains in place for the moment, the organization will wait until its mid‑September deadline to assess the security situation and make a definitive call. He emphasized that the series is in close contact with other championships, noting that the World Endurance Championship has already announced it will not finish the year in the Middle East and will instead remain in Europe. "We are giving ourselves the maximum amount of time to see how the situation evolves," Domenico said. "The decision will be taken no earlier than mid‑September.
For now, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are confirmed, but if the circumstances do not improve we will have to relocate the finale to Europe." He added that logistical and regulatory hurdles linked to post‑Brexit documentation make Europe the most viable alternative, although several venues are being considered. Among the potential substitutes, Italy’s historic Imola circuit has been mentioned as a front‑runner. Domenico described Imola as "an option, but not yet defined," indicating that the track could serve as a backup if needed.
The series is also exploring the possibility of using more than one European venue to preserve as much of the original 24‑race plan as possible. At present, the calendar has already been trimmed to 23 events after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was dropped, so any further reshuffling could have a noticeable impact on the championship battle. Weather concerns have also entered the conversation.
Racing in Europe in late November or early December could expose drivers and teams to colder conditions, 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 highlighted that climate variability makes precise forecasting difficult, and that the sport must remain adaptable in the face of changing weather patterns. The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was briefly entertained but ultimately dismissed.
Domenico explained that duplicating the event could diminish its prestige and pit Formula 1 against the NFL, which dominates the American sports landscape during the same period. "We don’t want to undervalue a jewel that is still growing," he said, emphasizing the need to protect the brand’s reputation and avoid direct competition with a major U.S. sporting spectacle. If the calendar does undergo further alterations, the championship standings could be affected.
At the time of the interview, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was leading the drivers’ championship by 50 points over Ferrari’s veteran Lewis Hamilton, with 12 races left to contest. A shift in venue or a reduction in the number of races could influence strategies, tyre allocations, and the overall points calculus for the title chase.
The season will resume after the summer hiatus with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21‑23, all sessions broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can also stream the races via NOW without a long‑term contract, and the series continues to provide updates through its podcast, The F1 Show, and social channels such as Sky Sports on WhatsApp. As the situation in the Middle East evolves, the sport’s leadership remains vigilant, ready to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the 2026 championship concludes safely and competitively, whether that final showdown unfolds on the streets of Abu Dhabi, the historic bends of Imola, or another European venue yet to be confirmed.