Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of Formula 1, has warned that the championship’s closing two events could be moved from the Middle East to Europe if the security situation in the region does not improve. The statement comes after the sport was forced to abandon its April rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing conflict, prompting a reshuffle of the calendar that now sees Malaysia stepping in to host the Bahrain Grand Prix in October.
The uncertainty surrounding the Bahrain postponement has raised fresh doubts about the fate of the final two scheduled Grand Prix – the Qatar race, slated for 27‑29 November, and the season‑ending Abu Dhabi event on 4‑6 December. Domenicali told reporters on Wednesday that the organisation remains hopeful that the original plan can be kept, but stressed that a final decision will not be taken until after the mid‑September deadline, when the situation will be clearer.
"We are in constant contact with the other series," he said. "For example, the World Endurance Championship has already confirmed that it will not finish the year in the Middle East and will stay in Europe. Our approach is to monitor the developments for as long as possible and then make a measured decision, which will not be earlier than mid‑September." At present, both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are still on the official calendar, but Domenicali added that if the geopolitical climate does not improve, the only viable alternative is to relocate the finale to a European venue. He cited "Brexit‑related documentation" and logistical hurdles as reasons why Europe is the only realistic backup option, though he declined to name specific circuits.
"If the Middle‑East races cannot go ahead, the season will conclude in Europe because we simply cannot move to other regions at this stage," he explained. "There are a few possibilities on the table, but I won’t promise anything until the situation is resolved." One of the circuits that has been mentioned in speculation is Italy’s historic Imola track. Domenicali described Imola as "an option, but not yet defined" as a potential replacement. The governing body is reportedly considering the use of one or two European venues to preserve as much of the 24‑race schedule as possible, even though the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has already been dropped, reducing the provisional total to 23 events.
Holding the finale in Europe in late November or early December does raise concerns about colder weather, yet Domenicali pointed out that the temperatures expected in Europe at that time are actually milder than those in Las Vegas, where a Grand Prix is scheduled for early November. He highlighted that climate variability makes precise forecasts difficult, noting that "the pollution of climate change means there is no certainty about weather conditions." The idea of adding a second Las Vegas race was briefly entertained, 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 December. "We don’t want to undervalue a jewel that is still growing," Domenicali said, emphasizing the need to protect the brand’s value.
Any reshuffle of the closing races could have a tangible impact on the championship battle. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli currently enjoys a 50‑point lead over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton with twelve races remaining, and a change in venue could affect strategy, car performance, and driver morale. The 2026 season will pick up again after the summer hiatus with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from 21‑23 August, all sessions to be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a contract and cancel at any time.
In summary, while the F1 calendar remains officially intact for the moment, the organization is preparing contingency plans that could see the championship wrap up on European soil should the Middle‑East situation remain untenable. The final decision will be made after mid‑September, giving teams, sponsors, and fans a clear picture of where the season will truly end.