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 by mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with back‑to‑back rounds: the Qatar Grand Prix set for 27‑29 November followed immediately 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 long shadow over these dates, leaving the organizers and participants uncertain about whether the races can proceed as planned. Both Middle Eastern events remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 races for the year, and sources close to Sky Sports News indicate that the intention is still to hold them.
Nevertheless, contingency plans are already being fleshed out. The Imola circuit in Italy is being positioned as a backup venue should the situation in the Gulf deteriorate to the point where the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds become untenable. In such a scenario, Imola would step in to close out the season, and the sport has pledged to reimburse any financial losses the circuit might incur while preparing for a possible last‑minute inclusion.
During an F1 Commission meeting on Monday, team principals received clarification on the timeline for a final decision. At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained that Stefano Domenicali, the president of Formula One, is aiming to announce the outcome in mid‑October. "I believe Stefano is targeting to tell us in mid‑October so we all know what the situation is," Komatsu said.
He added that Imola is being readied as a fallback, but expressed optimism that the original plan will survive: "Hopefully things can stay as a baseline and we can go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. That would be really good." Audi’s former technical chief Mattia Binotto echoed the same timeline, noting that the commission discussed the issue on Monday and that mid‑October represents the "last call" for a decision.
Sky Sports F1 correspondent Craig Slater reinforced the message, stating that the leadership at Formula One still intends to keep the two Middle Eastern races on the schedule. He explained that, based on the current stability in the region, the events could proceed unless the security situation worsens in the coming weeks. Slater also clarified that Imola’s role is purely contingency; the circuit does not need to be committed to the calendar at the expense of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds, and any costs incurred by Imola in preparing for a possible replacement will be compensated.
The teams’ understanding that a clear answer will be delivered by mid‑October has been widely reported, and all eyes are now on the developments in the region. The uncertainty has implications beyond logistics; it affects the championship narrative, sponsorship commitments, and the commercial agreements tied to these high‑profile venues.
Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi have invested heavily in state‑of‑the‑art facilities and have become key fixtures in the F1 calendar, attracting global audiences and providing lucrative hospitality packages. In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton voiced his personal hope that the sport will be able to 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 to be stabilising, though he acknowledged that he does not possess full intelligence on the risk levels. "I trust Stefano to make the right decision for the sport, but I do hope that we get to go there," Hamilton continued.
He also reflected on the alternative of finishing the season in Imola, noting that while the circuit is beautiful, it does not offer the same overtaking opportunities and that a winter finish there could present weather challenges. The broader context includes a packed schedule for the weekend in Baku, with a mixture of Formula 2 sprint and feature races, multiple practice sessions, and qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The weekend’s timetable is as follows: Friday, September 25 – F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, Azerbaijan GP Practice Three at 9:15 am, F2 Feature Race at 11:10 am, and qualifying sessions throughout the day. Saturday, September 26 – F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, the main Grand Prix event at noon, followed by post‑race analysis and commentary.
All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, offering fans flexible viewing options. In summary, the F1 community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict that will determine whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will proceed as planned or be replaced by a contingency race at Imola. The decision will hinge on the evolving security landscape in the Middle East, the financial stakes for the host nations, and the desire to maintain a full, competitive season for teams, drivers, and fans worldwide. Until then, teams will continue to prepare for both possibilities, ensuring that the championship can conclude on schedule, whichever venue ultimately hosts the final races.