The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer about the fate of the season‑closing rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive by mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with two back‑to‑back events: the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for 27‑29 November, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4‑6 December. However, the ongoing conflict that erupted in the Middle East in February has cast a shadow over those dates, leaving the organizers and teams uncertain about whether the races can proceed as planned. Despite the volatility, both Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 races for the year.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, the governing body’s intention is still to hold the events, but a contingency plan is in place should the security situation deteriorate further. The fallback venue being discussed is the historic Imola circuit in Italy, which could serve as a replacement for the two Middle‑Eastern rounds if they are ultimately cancelled. Imola is already preparing for the possibility, but the final decision will not be made until the F1 Commission convenes later this month. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix press conference on Thursday, team principals confirmed that they have received a clear timetable for when the decision will be communicated.
Haas team boss 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 would be really good." Similarly, former Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto, now representing Audi, added, "We discussed it during the F1 Commission last Monday.
Mid‑October is the last call for such a decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' F1 correspondent, provided further insight: "The latest information I have from leadership sources at Formula 1 itself is that they are both on the calendar, the intention is to go. I have been informed that, as things stand in terms of the level of stability in the region, should those events have been happening in the next couple of weeks, it would be stable enough for them to go ahead. The situation would be that unless there is a deterioration again then those races would be going ahead.
There is a contingency of Imola but they do not have to commit to that to the exclusion of those last two races. So Imola will be a contingency situation if they can't run the last two races, but they will compensate Imola for any financial loss they make in getting ready for that. Mid‑October is the teams' understanding that they will get some kind of clarification on that matter, so we will have to watch this space to a degree." The uncertainty has also been echoed by drivers on the grid. Speaking from Baku on Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, expressed a personal desire to see the sport return to the Middle East as originally scheduled.
"I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said. "From what I've read, I think things seem OK out there.
But I don't have all the information so I don't know what the risk levels are. But I trust in 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 also it's a beautiful track, but it's not a track that we're going to be doing any overtaking in and the more races, the better." The broader context of the situation is that the Middle East conflict has disrupted not only logistics but also the perception of safety for teams, staff, and fans. Travel restrictions, airspace closures, and the potential for sudden escalations mean that any decision must weigh competitive integrity against the wellbeing of everyone involved. The F1 leadership has indicated that they are monitoring diplomatic developments closely and are in regular contact with local authorities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to assess real‑time risk.
If the races are cancelled, the Imola circuit will step in as a replacement, but this would entail a rapid re‑organisation of logistics, ticketing, and broadcasting arrangements. Imola, a venue with a rich heritage dating back to the early days of Formula One, would provide a classic European setting, but it also presents challenges: the weather in early December can be cold and wet, potentially affecting tyre strategies and race pace. Moreover, the circuit is known for its limited overtaking opportunities, which could influence the spectacle for fans and the championship narrative. Financial considerations also play a role.
The contracts signed with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi promoters include substantial fees, and a cancellation would trigger complex renegotiations. The governing body has reportedly assured Imola that any financial losses incurred from preparing for a possible replacement race would be compensated, mitigating the risk for the Italian venue. From a sporting perspective, the two Middle‑Eastern rounds are crucial for teams chasing the championship.
The Qatar Grand Prix, with its high‑speed desert layout, and the Abu Dhabi circuit, known for its long straights and late‑race drama, often serve as decisive venues where points can be gained or lost. A shift to Imola could alter the competitive balance, favouring teams with strong low‑down‑force packages and drivers adept at navigating technical sections.
Fans worldwide are also watching closely. The Middle East has become a key market for Formula One, with state‑of‑the‑art facilities and enthusiastic local audiences. A cancellation could affect the sport's growth strategy in the region, potentially influencing future contract negotiations and the allocation of race slots.
In summary, the F1 community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict that will confirm whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will proceed as scheduled or be replaced by a contingency race at Imola. The decision will hinge on the evolving security landscape, logistical feasibility, and the sport's broader commercial interests. Until then, teams are preparing for both scenarios, ensuring that the championship can continue smoothly regardless of the outcome.
The upcoming schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend remains packed, with F2 sprint and feature races, practice sessions, qualifying, and live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers are encouraged to tune in via NOW streaming for uninterrupted access to the action.