The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer regarding 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 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 in the Middle East, which erupted in February, has cast a shadow over those dates and left the future of the two races uncertain for several months. Both events still appear on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 races for the year, and sources close to Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body intends to keep them on the schedule. In the event that the security situation deteriorates and the Middle Eastern venues become untenable, the Italian circuit at Imola is being prepared as a fallback option to close the season.
Organisers have more time before a final verdict is required, but contingency plans are already in motion. During the Formula One Commission meeting on Monday, team principals were briefed on the timeline for a decision. At Thursday's press conference in Baku, held alongside the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, several team leaders reiterated the information they had received. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained, "I understand that Stefano [Domenicali, the FIA president] aims to give us a clear answer in mid‑October so that everyone knows where we stand.
Imola is being readied as a backup, but we are all hoping the original plan can proceed and that we will race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally intended. That would be ideal." Audi‑affiliated team boss Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed the matter during the Commission meeting on Monday. Mid‑October is the deadline for a final decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' Formula One correspondent, provided further insight: "My latest information from senior Formula One officials is that both Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar and the intention is to run them.
The current stability in the region suggests that if the situation holds steady over the next few weeks, the races could go ahead without issue. Only a fresh deterioration would force a cancellation." He continued, "Imola is on standby as a contingency, but the organisers are not forced to choose it at the expense of the final two rounds. Should the Middle Eastern events be called off, Imola would step in, and the sport would compensate the circuit for any financial losses incurred in preparing for a possible race.
The consensus among the teams is that we will receive clarification by mid‑October, so we will be watching the developments closely." Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, speaking from the Baku paddock on Wednesday, expressed his personal wish to see the sport return to the Middle East as planned. "I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," he said.
"From what I've read, the situation seems to be stabilising, but I don't have all the data on the risk levels. I trust Stefano to make the right call for the sport, and I hope we get to race there. Finishing the season in winter at Imola might not be ideal weather‑wise, and while Imola is a beautiful circuit, it doesn't offer many overtaking opportunities. More races are always better for the fans and the teams." The broader schedule for the weekend in Azerbaijan also includes a full slate of support events.
On Friday, September 25, the program begins with an F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 9:15 am (the session itself starts at 9:30 am). The F2 Feature Race 1 is slated for 11:10 am, with qualifying for the main Grand Prix commencing at 12:30 pm. The qualifying session officially kicks off at 1:00 pm, and later in the afternoon, at 3:00 pm, Ted's Qualifying Notebook provides analysis.
Saturday, September 26, features the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, and the Grand Prix build‑up starts at 10:30 am. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself runs at noon, with the chequered flag and post‑race reaction scheduled for 2:00 pm, followed by Ted's Notebook at 3:00 pm. All of these sessions are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The weekend marks a rare Saturday race for Formula One, as the Baku Grand Prix is set to start around midday on Saturday, adding to the excitement of a triple‑header weekend. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the ability to cancel at any time. In summary, the Formula One community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict on whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds will proceed as planned or be replaced by a contingency race at Imola. Teams are preparing for both possibilities, with logistical and financial arrangements already under discussion.
The situation remains fluid, but the prevailing sentiment among team principals, drivers, and broadcasters is one of cautious optimism that the season can conclude in the Middle East as originally scheduled, preserving the integrity of the 2026 calendar and delivering the full complement of races to fans worldwide.