The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer regarding the fate of the season‑closing events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive around the middle of October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with two successive race weekends: the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 27‑29 November, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4‑6 December. Both rounds have been hanging in the balance for several months because of the ongoing conflict that erupted in the Middle East earlier this year, in February.
Despite the uncertainty, the two Middle‑Eastern rounds remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 races for the season. Sources close to Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body’s current intention is still to run the events as planned. However, a contingency plan is in place: the historic Imola circuit in Italy is being prepared as a backup venue should the situation in the Gulf deteriorate to the point where the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races become unfeasible.
The Formula One Management (FOM) has more time than usual to reach a final verdict, but the clock is ticking. During a Formula One Commission meeting on Monday, team principals were briefed on the timeline for the decision.
At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, held alongside the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team leaders confirmed that they had been given a clear deadline for when the final word would be delivered. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained, "I understand that Stefano [Domenicali, the FIA’s president and F1’s chief executive] is aiming to inform us by mid‑October so that everyone knows where we stand. Imola is already being readied as a possible substitute if the Middle‑Eastern rounds have to be cancelled.
But ideally we would keep the original plan and race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi – that would be fantastic for the sport and the fans." Audi‑backed team boss Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed this at the F1 Commission last Monday. Mid‑October is the final cut‑off for any decision on those two events." Sky Sports F1 correspondent Craig Slater offered further insight: "The latest information from senior Formula 1 officials is that both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still on the calendar and the aim is to go ahead with them. If the security and stability situation in the region remains as it is now, the races could proceed as scheduled. Only a significant deterioration would force a cancellation.
"Imola is on standby as a contingency, but the organisers are not forced to commit to it at the expense of the two Middle‑Eastern rounds. Should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi 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 should receive clarification by mid‑October, so we will be watching that timeline closely," Slater concluded. In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed his personal hope that the sport would be able to return to the Middle East as originally planned.
"I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said. "From what I've read, the situation seems stable enough, although I don't have the full picture on risk levels. I trust Stefano to make the right call for Formula 1, and I really hope we get to race there.
Finishing the season in Imola might not be ideal weather‑wise, and while Imola is a beautiful circuit, it doesn't offer as many overtaking opportunities as the Gulf tracks. More races are always better for the championship." The broader schedule for the weekend in Azerbaijan also includes a full program of support series and qualifying sessions. On Friday, September 25, the day begins with the F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Practice Three at 9:15 am (the session officially starts at 9:30 am). Later that morning, the F2 Feature Race 1 takes place at 11:10 am, and the Grand Prix qualifying build‑up starts at 12:30 pm, leading into the official qualifying session at 1:00 pm.
The day wraps up with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, sees the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am, and the main Azerbaijan Grand Prix event at noon. The race concludes with a post‑race reaction segment at 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 Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the start of a triple‑header of races for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the Baku event scheduled for Saturday at midday. Fans can stream the coverage via Sky Sports through the NOW platform, which offers a flexible, contract‑free subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
This week’s action will be crucial not only for the championship battle but also for setting the tone for how the sport will handle the lingering geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the final two races of the year.