The Formula One paddock has been told that a definitive answer regarding the fate of the season‑closing events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive around mid‑October. This clarification comes after months of uncertainty stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began in February and has cast doubt over the two back‑to‑back races originally slated for the end of the 2026 calendar.
According to the current schedule, the championship is set to conclude with a Qatar Grand Prix on the weekend of 27‑29 November, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4‑6 December. Both events remain listed on the provisional 23‑race calendar, and sources at Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body’s intention is still to hold them as planned.
However, the volatile security situation means that a contingency plan must be ready should the Middle Eastern venues become untenable. The fallback option being discussed is the historic Imola circuit in Italy.
Imola, which previously hosted the San Marino Grand Prix, could serve as a replacement venue to close out the season if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are cancelled. Organisers have already begun preliminary preparations at Imola, but they have not been forced to commit fully to this alternative, preserving the possibility of keeping the original Middle Eastern dates. During the recent Formula One Commission meeting on Monday, team principals were briefed on the timeline for a final decision.
At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, the leaders of the teams confirmed that they have been given a clear window – mid‑October – by which the FIA and the sport’s president, Stefano Domenicali, will announce whether the two races will proceed. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained, "Stefano is aiming to give us a definitive answer in mid‑October so that everyone knows where we stand. Imola is being readied as a backup, but our hope is that the situation stabilises enough for us to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally scheduled. That would be the best outcome for the sport." Audi‑affiliated team principal Mattia Binotto echoed this sentiment, stating, "We covered the issue at the F1 Commission on Monday.
Mid‑October is the deadline for a final call." Sky Sports F1 correspondent Craig Slater added further detail from sources within the sport’s leadership: "Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still on the calendar, and the intention remains to run them. If the security environment in the region remains stable over the next few weeks, the races are expected to go ahead.
Only a significant deterioration would trigger the contingency plan. Imola is prepared as a backup, and any financial losses incurred by the circuit for preparing to host a race will be compensated by the sport. The teams understand that a clarification will come by mid‑October, and we will be watching the situation closely." In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton also voiced optimism, saying he hopes the championship can return to the Middle East as originally planned.
"I personally love racing in the Middle East and would like to go," Hamilton said. "From the information I have, the situation appears to be improving, though I don’t have the full picture on risk levels. I trust Stefano to make the right call for Formula One, and I hope we can race there.
Finishing the season in Imola would be beautiful, but the weather in winter can be unpredictable, and the track doesn’t offer many overtaking opportunities. More races are always better for the sport." The broader context of the season includes a packed schedule of support events and qualifying sessions. On Friday, September 25, the program features an F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Practice Three at 9:15 am, the F2 Feature Race at 11:10 am, and the Grand Prix qualifying sessions later in the day. Saturday, September 26, continues with another F2 feature race, the main Grand Prix event, and post‑race analysis.
All of these sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, offering fans multiple ways to follow the action. The uncertainty surrounding the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races highlights the challenges that global sport faces when geopolitical events intersect with the racing calendar.
While the FIA and Formula One management are working closely with local authorities and security experts to assess risk, the mid‑October deadline provides a clear point at which teams, sponsors, and fans will know whether the season will conclude in the Gulf or shift back to Europe. If the contingency plan is activated, Imola would step in as the final round, offering a classic European circuit with a rich heritage. Organisers have assured that any financial shortfall incurred by Imola for preparing to host a Grand Prix on short notice will be covered, mitigating the economic impact on the venue. In the meantime, the teams remain focused on the immediate task of competing in Baku.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to be a triple‑header weekend, with practice, qualifying, and the race itself providing valuable points as the championship battle intensifies. Fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with the option to stream via NOW without a long‑term contract, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.
Overall, the message from the paddock is one of cautious optimism. While the situation in the Middle East remains fluid, the sport’s leadership is committed to making a transparent decision by mid‑October, balancing safety considerations with the desire to deliver a complete and exciting season for teams, drivers, and fans alike.