The Formula One constructors have been told that a definitive answer regarding the fate of the season‑closing events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive by mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with a back‑to‑back weekend in the Gulf, with the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 27‑29 November and the Abu Dhabi round set for 4‑6 December.
However, the ongoing conflict that erupted in the Middle East in February has cast a shadow over those dates, leaving teams and organizers uncertain about whether the races can proceed as planned. Despite the geopolitical turbulence, both events remain listed on the provisional 23‑race calendar, and sources close to Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body’s intention is still to hold them.
In the event that the situation deteriorates to a point where the Gulf rounds become untenable, the series has identified Italy’s historic Imola circuit as a backup venue that could host the finale. This contingency would only be activated if the decision is taken after the October deadline, giving the FIA and Formula One Management additional time to assess security conditions.
The issue was discussed during an F1 Commission meeting on Monday, and team principals were given a clear timeline for when a final verdict would be communicated. At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, the leaders of the teams reiterated the information they received.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said, "I believe Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] is targeting to tell us in mid‑October so we all know what the situation is. I believe that Imola is getting ready in case we have to do it there. But hopefully things can stay as a baseline and we can go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. That’d be really good." Audi‑affiliated team boss Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed it during the F1 Commission last Monday.
Mid‑October is the last call for such a decision." Sky Sports F1 correspondent Craig Slater provided further insight, stating that senior Formula One officials have confirmed both Gulf races are still on the calendar and the goal remains to run them. He explained that, based on the current level of stability in the region, the events could proceed if conditions remain steady over the next few weeks. "If there is no further deterioration, the races will go ahead," Slater said. "Imola is a contingency, but the teams are not forced to abandon the Gulf rounds.
Should the last two races be cancelled, Imola would step in and the organisers have promised to compensate any financial losses incurred by preparing the circuit." The teams’ understanding is that a formal clarification will be issued by mid‑October, after which they will know whether to continue preparations for Qatar and Abu Dhabi or shift focus to Imola. This timeline gives the sport a window to monitor the security environment and make a responsible decision that balances sporting integrity with safety considerations.
In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed his personal hope that the championship can return to the Middle East as originally scheduled. "I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said.
He added that, based on the information he has seen, the situation appears acceptable, though he acknowledged he does not possess the full risk assessment. "I trust Stefano to make the right decision for the sport, but I do hope that we get to go there. Finishing in winter in Imola might not be the best weather‑wise, and while it is a beautiful track, it does not offer the overtaking opportunities we enjoy.
More races are always better for the fans and the teams." The broader context of the 2026 season includes a packed schedule, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix serving as a triple‑header weekend that also features Formula 2 support races. The weekend programme lists F2 sprint and feature races on Friday and Saturday, followed by the F1 qualifying session and the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
Sky Sports will broadcast the action live, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. Overall, the F1 community is awaiting the mid‑October decision with a mixture of anticipation and caution. The possibility of shifting the finale to Imola provides a safety net, but the preferred outcome remains the execution of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events, which would preserve the original rhythm of the season and deliver the high‑profile finale that fans worldwide expect.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the geopolitical climate permits that plan to move forward, or whether the series will have to adapt and conclude its 2026 campaign on Italian soil instead.